ZP members seek polls or term extension

HYDERABAD: The state government should recall the special officers appointed in place of ZPTC (Zilla Parishad Territorial Constituency) members, and either extend the ZPTC members’ tenure or conduct local body elections immediately, demanded P Venkata Rama Reddy, president of Andhra Pradesh Zilla Parishad Members’ Association.Speaking at a press conference here on Monday, he said the ZPTC members, who were elected in 2006, completed their term on July 22.Instead of extending their tenure or conducting fresh elections, the then government, for the first time, appointed special officers. The APZPMA will submit memoranda to the High Court and chief minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy on Tuesday seeking extension of the tenure of ZPTC members till local body elections are held.According to the 73rd constitutional amendment, states should conduct local body elections immediately after the end of ZPTC members’ tenure but unlike in the past their tenure was extended from six to 11 years.If the Lok Sabha is dissolved, prime minister will be the in-charge PM, and in the case of Assembly the chief minister will be incharge CM. Accordingly, if zilla parishads are dissolved or their term ends, ZPTC members should be made in-charge ZPTCs, he said.APZPMA vice-president Reddy Narayana Rao, secretary D Punnamma Chandulal, members M Niranjan Reddy and P Nagarjuna Reddy were present.