NARESH H. PATIL, J.:- Rule. Rule returnable forthwith. Respective respondents waive service of rule. The petitioners in this group of petitions in substance raise identical issue.

Therefore, the petitions are heard together and are being decided by a common judgment and order.

2. The petitioners seek directions to respondents to follow rotation policy for the general elections to Panchayats in the State of Maharashtra to be held in the year 2007, in compliance with the Maharashtra Zilla Parishads and Panchayat Samitis (Manner and Rotation of Reservation of Seats) Rules, 1996.

3. The learned Senior Counsel states that the State Election Commission under its supervision held elections to Panchayats for the first time in the year 1997 and thereafter in the year 2002. The election held in the year 1997 was conducted after the Rotation Rules of 1996 were notified i.e. on 30-10-1996. The State Election Commission ought to have rotated the seats for the next election which was held in the year 2002. In a proceeding of Writ Petition No.5386/2006, statement was made on behalf of State Election Commission on oath that the rotation policy will be followed in the next election. According to the l

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