With no nomination filed for the fifth time in succession, the village panchayat of Koppanapatti in Ponnamaravathy block will have no representatives.
Koppanapatti was bifurcated into Koppanapatti and Konapatti village panchayats way back in 1969. The bifurcation process did more harm than good, triggering some difference of opinion over the jurisdiction of the village administration. Maintenance and enjoyment of a local tank; a school; village lands etc have been the major issues and the residents of Koppanapatti have been demanding the village map, demarcating their jurisdiction.
Initially, they had launched some stir or other. However, to resolve the crisis, the villagers intensified the agitation through the boycott of local body polls since 2006.
Ever since the main election in October 2006, no nomination was filed for the posts of nine ward-members of four village panchayat wards as well as the village panchayat president. Four by-elections were held later — in February and September 2007; September 2008 and February 2009. Apart from these five boycott sessions (one main election in October 2006 and four subsequent by-elections) the villagers, after a persuasive attempt by the officials, participated in the by-election held in February 2008 and filed nominations. However, all the elected representatives, succumbing to the local decision, put in their papers a week after the election in February 2008.
Official sources said that the vacancy had been notified and yet another attempt would be made for the conduct of by-election next year.
