The Jan Suraaj Party, founded by former election strategist Prashant Kishor, has filed a petition before the Supreme Court challenging the validity of the recently concluded Bihar Assembly Elections, 2025, and sought fresh polls in the state. The matter is expected to be heard on Friday by a bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi.
In its petition, the Jan Suraaj Party has alleged that the Bihar government violated the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) by transferring ₹10,000 directly into the accounts of women under the Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana after the poll schedule had been officially announced. The party claims that this direct cash benefit amounted to inducement of voters and unfairly influenced the electoral process.
The plea argues that such actions not only undermine the integrity of elections but also contravene established electoral norms and constitutional mandates. The party has sought directions from the Court to the Election Commission to take appropriate action under:
- Article 324 of the Constitution, which empowers the Election Commission to supervise and regulate elections, and
- Section 123 of the Representation of People Act, 1951, which defines “corrupt practices” in elections, including bribery.
The BJP-led NDA retained power in the Bihar Assembly by securing a decisive majority—winning 202 out of the 243 assembly seats. In contrast, the opposition INDIA bloc secured only 35 seats, with the Congress winning six. Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj Party failed to win any seats, and most of its candidates reportedly lost their deposits.
The Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana is a state initiative that provides an initial financial assistance of ₹10,000 to women in Bihar to help them start small businesses and promote self-employment. While the government has maintained that the scheme is meant for women’s empowerment, the petitioner alleges that its timing, immediately after the poll announcement, was politically motivated and violates the electoral code.
The Supreme Court’s decision in this matter could have far-reaching implications for the enforcement of the Model Code and the conduct of future elections where state-sponsored welfare transfers are concerned.
