The Gujarat High Court has cancelled its split into two entities — the Rajkot and Paddhari APMCs — with the revival of the overthrown body, which was in power in 2006.

In July 2006, de-merger was ordered by the state government through a notification under the Gujarat APMC Act 1964, which called for a separate marketing yard for each taluka.

It called for a marketing yard each at Rajkot and Paddhari talukas, instead of a common one at Rajkot.

The Congress, which was in power at the yard then, had called the de-merger a political move by the state government to throw it out of power at the Rs 900 crore per year turnover yard.

Now, the High Court has ordered the revival of the same body, which was in power at the time of the de-merger.

It has also issued orders to allow this body to complete its remaining 18 months at the helm.

The order has paved the way for Congress Dhoraji MLA Vithal Radadia to once again become the chairman, replacing Hardevsinh Jadeja, his former ally who had joined the BJP in 2006 before the de-merger.

Jadeja, who had been holding the post of vice-chairman, will again become the deputy of Radadia.

The BJP leader had become the chairman after he won a case in the High Court following the removal of the administration’s rule in January 2008.

Although Radadia will become the chairman after the government issues a gazette to induct the old body, the power equation at the yard will remain complicated.

At present, the Congress is in minority with five members against 12 of the BJP.