Following a petition filed by the Ernakulam-based pharma stockists, Antony Tharian, seeking permission to conduct election for new office-bearers for the All Kerala Chemists & Druggists Association (AKCDA), the Sub-Court of Ernakulam has appointed a Commission to conduct free and fair election from the unit level to the state level within three months.

As per the court directive, the Commission led by Advocate A Balagopal of Ernakulam, assisted by five other counsels, will have to file the election schedule to the court on September 27.

The court has also deputed Antony Tharian and the co-petitioner K Sivasankaran to assist the Commission to facilitate the election in a time-bound manner and to be completed within three months. Antony Tharian expressed hope that the new administrative committee could assume power in the first week of December.

Due to long standing dispute over recognition and power sharing between two groups in the organization, the activities of the AKCDA was weakened in the state from 2008 onwards. This has led one group headed by former AIOCD president AN Mohan to float a new organization in the name of drug traders at national level with a branch in Kerala appointing himself as its state president. But the official recognition of the AIOCD remained with the group of Antony Tharian. But, now, for filing an election petition to the court both the groups have reached an agreement.

Speaking to Pharmabiz, Tharian said since there is conflict among members and between two groups in the association, government is not interested to entertain neither of the groups. Besides, the interests of the members cannot be protected and often faces difficulty in rescuing the organization from the clutches of political parties. So, a strong association for the chemists and druggists is required in Kerala and that is for the election is sought. He said the decision of the commission shall be final and binding on both the disputing factions.

There are more than 500 units of AKCDA working in the state in under district committees. Unit election will be held  first, followed by election to district committees and finally for state office-bearers. The final election to the state office-bearers will be held only after AIOCD’s general election which is scheduled for 28, 29 and 30 of this month.