Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj Party has fired the first legal salvo against Bihar’s assembly elections, filing a petition in the Supreme Court that accuses authorities of flouting election rules through massive cash distributions to women. The core allegation: direct transfers of Rs 10,000 to female voters during the poll period, breaching the Election Commission’s code.
This bold move marks a significant confrontation between the upstart party and Bihar’s entrenched political machinery. Jan Suraaj seeks not just an investigation but a wholesale annulment of the elections, paving the way for fresh polls conducted under strict oversight.
Tomorrow, Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Sanjay Kumar will commence proceedings, potentially unraveling contentious aspects of the state’s voting process. The petition highlights how the scheme allegedly targeted women en masse, influencing their voting behavior in key constituencies.
Background reveals that Prashant Kishor, once the architect of multiple electoral victories, launched Jan Suraaj to champion clean politics. This Supreme Court foray underscores his commitment to exposing what he terms ‘corrupt electoral practices.’
Opposition voices have rallied behind the plea, arguing it exposes systemic flaws, while the government counters that welfare schemes are routine and unrelated to polls. As arguments unfold, the case could redefine boundaries between legitimate aid and electoral bribery.
With Bihar’s assembly freshly constituted, this legal challenge injects uncertainty, compelling all stakeholders to brace for possible upheaval. The apex court’s verdict will resonate far beyond one state, shaping future election integrity debates nationwide.
