Shimla, Feb. 5 -- The Himachal Pradesh government has filed a special leave petition (SLP) in Supreme Court against the order of Himachal high court directing state to conduct panchayat and urban local body elections by April 30. A senior officer confirmed that the state government has moved the SC and sought legal clarity on whether elections can be held while the National Disaster Management Act (DMA) continues to remain in force due to prevailing disaster-related conditions. The High Court on January 9 while disposing off a public interest litigation (PIL), had directed the State Election Commission and the state to finalise reservation rosters by February 28 and ensure that panchayat and municipal elections are conducted before April 30. In its petition before the apex court, the state government has argued that the High Court's directions did not adequately account for ground realities, particularly disrupted connectivity in several parts of the state and the continued enforcement of the Disaster Management Act. The government has maintained that while panchayat elections are governed under the State Panchayati Raj Act, disaster management is a subject legislated by Parliament, and the DMA continues to be applicable in Himachal Pradesh in view of recurring disaster conditions. Elections are due in 3,577 panchayats and 73 urban local bodies across Himachal. BJP state media incharge and MLA Randhir Sharma accused the Congress government of attempting to derail the democratic process. The BJP has demanded immediate conduct of elections to ensure that citizens can exercise their democratic right to choose their representatives. Leader of opposition Jai Ram Thakur said, "The Congress is itself trampling on democracy and the constitution and crushing Mahatma Gandhi's dreams of village self-governance. It is incomprehensible why the government is taking the panchayat elections so lightly". Revenue, horticulture and tribal development minister, Jagat Singh Negi, said ongoing restoration work following heavy snow, along with school exams, has made it difficult to conduct elections at this stage. He clarified that the state is only seeking a short extension. "When disaster management and restoration work is underway, conducting elections becomes practically impossible. We have therefore approached the Supreme Court," he added....