Jan Suraaj Challenges Bihar Election Results in Supreme Court, Seeks Fresh Polls
In a significant political development, the fledgling party Jan Suraaj, founded by former election strategist Prashant Kishor, has approached the Supreme Court of India to challenge the results of the recently concluded Bihar Assembly elections. The party has formally petitioned the apex court to declare the election outcomes null and void and to order fresh polls across the state.
Allegations of MCC Violations and Unfair Practices
The core of Jan Suraaj's legal challenge revolves around two primary allegations. First, the petition questions the legality of cash transfers made under the Mukhyamantri Mahila Rozgar Yojana, a state government scheme that provided Rs 10,000 to women beneficiaries while the Model Code of Conduct was actively in force. The party has labeled this move as both "illegal" and "unconstitutional," arguing it unfairly influenced voters during the election period.
Second, the petition raises serious objections to the deployment of approximately 1.80 lakh women associated with the self-help group JEEViKA at polling booths during both phases of voting. Jan Suraaj contends that this large-scale involvement constituted an "illegal" and "unfair" practice, potentially compromising the integrity of the electoral process.
Seeking Electoral Reforms and Judicial Intervention
Beyond seeking the annulment of the Bihar 2025 election results, Jan Suraaj's petition urges the Supreme Court to direct the Election Commission of India to establish clearer and more stringent norms. Specifically, the party calls for regulations governing the rollout of welfare schemes, freebies, and Direct Benefit Transfer programs that could impact the fairness of elections.
The petition further requests the court to mandate a minimum timeframe, preferably six months, for the implementation of such schemes by ruling political parties before the announcement of any election schedule. This proposed reform aims to prevent last-minute incentives that could sway voter decisions.
Political Backdrop and Reactions
The legal move comes approximately three months after the Bihar assembly election results led to the formation of an NDA government in the state. The BJP-led alliance retained power decisively, securing 202 out of 243 assembly seats, while the RJD-led INDIA bloc managed only 35 seats. Jan Suraaj itself contested nearly all constituencies but failed to win any, despite an intensive campaign led by Prashant Kishor.
Reacting sharply to the petition, JD(U) spokesperson Neeraj Kumar denounced it as an "insult of people's mandate." He defended the cash transfers to women, stating they were an extension of the government's longstanding commitment under the Satat Jivikoparjan Yojana, initiated after prohibition in 2016. Kumar also cited similar schemes in other states, like Jharkhand's Mukhya Mantri Maiya Samman Yojana, and questioned whether salaries and pensions should also halt during election periods.
The RJD, which emerged as the main opposition party with 25 seats, had previously alleged "gross misuse of poll machinery" in the elections, claiming that "machinery won but democracy lost." The Supreme Court is likely to hear the matter soon, with sources indicating a possible hearing on Friday, setting the stage for a high-stakes legal and political confrontation.
