The Supreme Court delivered a decisive blow to Prashant Kishor’s ambitions Tuesday, refusing to entertain Jan Suraaj Party’s plea to annul Bihar’s Assembly election results. During the proceedings, the court grilled the petitioner’s counsel on the party’s abysmal vote share, remarking, “Your party got how many votes? The public has rejected you, yet you seek judicial intervention for publicity.”
This pointed observation came as the bench scrutinized claims of electoral fraud leveled against the poll process. Jan Suraaj had urged the top court to order fresh elections, citing rampant booth-level manipulations and administrative bias favoring the victorious NDA coalition.
Prashant Kishor, the maverick behind multiple high-profile campaign successes, entered Bihar’s political fray with Jan Suraaj in early 2024. Despite aggressive grassroots mobilization and promises of governance overhaul, the party drew blanks in seat wins and struggled with vote percentages below 1% in most areas.
The court’s rejection aligns with its consistent stance against turning the judiciary into an election appellate body. Justices made it clear that parties must first exhaust statutory remedies under election laws before approaching higher forums, especially with such thin public support.
Bihar’s polls, held in phases last month, saw Nitish Kumar’s JD(U)-BJP alliance triumph over the RJD-led Mahagathbandhan. Turnout exceeded 57%, with no widespread reports of irregularities from observers. Kishor’s allegations, amplified through social media and public rallies, aimed to spotlight systemic flaws but fell flat in the face of judicial scrutiny.
Reactions poured in from across the spectrum. NDA leaders hailed the verdict as a victory for democracy, while opposition figures distanced themselves from Kishor’s aggressive posturing. For Jan Suraaj, the path ahead involves rebuilding credibility and expanding its voter base beyond Kishor’s personal brand.
This episode highlights the challenges for new political entrants in India’s polarized state politics. As the Supreme Court closes the chapter, Bihar’s focus shifts to legislative priorities amid ongoing debates on economic revival and social welfare schemes.
