Shimla, Aug 21 (Reporter) The Himachal Pradesh High Court on Wednesday issued a notice to the state government over a petition challenging recent changes in the Himachal Pradesh Municipal Corporation Act that allegedly violate the secrecy of ballot during mayoral elections. A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice M S Ramachandra Rao and Justice Satyan Vaidya took up the petition filed by Shailender Gupta challenging the government notification dated August 18 and posted the matter for next hearing after four weeks. Senior Counsel Sudhir Thakur, representing the petitioner, argued that the amendments made by the Congress government to the Himachal Pradesh Municipal Corporation Act were unconstitutional. He said one of the amendments mandated that during civic body elections for positions of Mayor or Deputy Mayor, the votes cast by councillors must be shown to agents of their respective political parties. Thakur contended that this amendment undermined the basic spirit of the law, warranting its repeal. The petitioner sought an immediate stay on the provision, especially in light of the upcoming Mayor elections. However, the counsel for the state government countered that the amendment would have no immediate effect as the Supreme Court had already stayed the Mayor elections the previous day. The case highlights the ongoing political tensions in the state, particularly after the Congress candidate for Mayor in the Solan Municipal Corporation lost the election despite the party holding a majority, due to cross-voting. The outcome of this legal challenge could have significant implications for future municipal elections in Himachal Pradesh...////...