The Supreme Court on Friday refused to entertain a petition filed by the Jan Suraaj Party (JSP), led by political strategist-turned-politician Prashant Kishor, seeking fresh elections in Bihar. The party had alleged that the ruling NDA government misused a state-run welfare scheme to influence voters in violation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC).
A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi observed that it could not issue a blanket direction for the entire state at the instance of a political party. “We cannot issue an omnibus direction for the entire state that too at the instance of a political party,” the CJI said.
Senior advocate C U Singh, appearing for JSP, argued that the Bihar government had transferred ₹10,000 to women beneficiaries under the Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana even after the Election Commission had announced the 2025 Bihar Assembly election schedule — a move allegedly in violation of the MCC.
However, the top court declined to intervene and suggested that the petitioner approach the Patna High Court, since the issue pertained to a single state.
The Jan Suraaj Party had alleged that the Bihar government disbursed around ₹15,600 crore under the scheme during the MCC period, which, according to the party, distorted the level-playing field and unfairly influenced voters. The scheme provides an initial grant of ₹10,000 to women to promote self-employment and small businesses.
Invoking Article 324 of the Constitution and Section 123 of the Representation of the People Act, the party sought a direction to the Election Commission for declaring the 2025 Assembly election results null and void, and to conduct fresh polls.
The JSP, which made its electoral debut in the 2025 Assembly elections, failed to open its account, with most of its candidates forfeiting their security deposits. The BJP-led NDA retained power in the 243-member House with a sweeping victory, winning 202 seats, while the opposition INDIA bloc secured only 35 seats.
The Supreme Court’s refusal to entertain the plea is a setback for the Jan Suraaj Party, which has been sharply critical of the ruling coalition’s pre-poll welfare spending.
The matter now lies within the jurisdiction of the Patna High Court, should the petitioner choose to pursue it further.
