New Delhi/Patna: Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj Party has approached the Supreme Court of India, challenging the validity of the 2025 Bihar assembly elections and seeking a direction for fresh polls in the state.
In a petition filed through advocate Aditya Singh, the party alleges that the Bihar government violated the Model Code of Conduct by transferring Rs 10,000 directly into the bank accounts of women voters after the code came into force on October 6, 2025. The move, the petition claims, was a deliberate attempt to unduly influence the electorate.
According to Jan Suraaj, between 25 and 35 lakh new beneficiaries were added to the direct benefit transfer (DBT) scheme during the model code period. The party argues that extending monetary benefits to both existing and newly enrolled beneficiaries while elections were underway amounted to “bribery, undue influence and corrupt practice” under Section 123 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951.
“The state government misused its powers in violation of the principles of free and fair elections,” the petition states, adding that the alleged cash transfers “vitiate the entire election process” and render the results liable to be set aside.
The petition also targets payments made under the Jeevika Didi scheme, arguing that distributing funds to lakhs of beneficiaries during the model code period showed “malicious intent” to influence voters on a large scale.
Jan Suraaj has urged the court to direct the Election Commission of India to annul the election results and conduct fresh, free and fair polls to the Bihar legislative assembly.
The challenge comes after the BJP-led NDA retained power in the state, winning 202 of the 243 assembly seats, while RJD- led Mahagathbandhan secured 35. Jan Suraaj contested the election independently but failed to win a seat.
