Shimla, Aug. 12 -- The Himachal Pradesh high court has issued a notice to the state government regarding the delay in the election of the chairperson and vice-chairperson of the Shimla zila parishad. The bench of justice Jyotsna Rewal Dua on Tuesday issue notice to the government and administration on a petition filed by newly elected zila parishad member Mamta along with 12 other members. The petitioners alleged an "inordinate delay" in conducting the elections. The court directed the government and administrative officials to explain the reasons for postponing the election; the petition comes up for hearing on August 17. The petitioners pointed out that elections for the Shimla Zila Parishad Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson have not taken place even though nearly two and a half months have passed since the election results were declared. The 13 BJP-supported elected zila parishad members in the petition accused the state government and the district administration of deliberately stalling the democratic process. The high court directed the additional advocate general to obtain instructions on why no meeting for the election of the chairman and vice-chairman had been notified until July 20, 2026, and to place on record the proposed date of the next meeting. The court also directed the state to submit instructions on compliance with its August 6 decision in another case and to fix accountability of officers responsible for allegedly failing to discharge their statutory duties. "The matter is before the court and the Himachal Pradesh government is working completely according to the rules. The Opposition is only making allegations," he said, dismissing allegations of BJP accusing the state government of deliberately delaying the elections. Defending the local body election process, Sukhu said zila parishad, block development committee and panchayat elections were different from assembly and Lok Sabha elections. "This is a local election. In Zila Parishad, BDC and panchayat elections, people look at the local candidate, whether they are connected with the people and whether they stand with them in times of difficulty," Sukhu said. The CM also rejected allegations of political manipulation in the distribution of party tickets, asserting that the Congress had not shifted any candidate ticket. On the other hand, former chief minister and leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur said the government is not only insulting the public mandate and flouting the Constitution but is also repeatedly facing embarrassment in court. "The CM must realise that a dictatorial attitude has no place in a democratic system. He is insulting the judiciary, democracy, and the public mandate solely to save face," said Thakur....