Patna High Court has ignited a firestorm by notifying 42 Bihar MLAs, led by Assembly Speaker Prem Kumar, amid serious poll malpractice accusations. Defeated hopefuls have leveled charges of systematic vote theft and bogus affidavits against winners from NDA and Mahagathbandhan alike.
The roster features heavyweights: ministers, former officials, and MLAs like Chetan Anand and Amrendra Prasad. Details emerging include NDA’s alleged Rs 10,000 payoffs and opposition’s Rs 2,500 ‘Mai-Behen’ enticements, painting a grim portrait of commodified votes.
Long-simmering since the elections, these issues gained traction after Prashant Kishor’s failed Supreme Court plea. The High Court’s move demands affidavits and evidence, promising a rigorous examination.
Potential consequences loom large—disqualifications could upend the assembly, spark bypolls, and alter power dynamics. Political strategists are glued to developments, anticipating ripple effects on governance.
Beyond the headlines, this case probes deeper into Bihar’s democratic health, questioning safeguards against corruption. As MLAs prepare defenses, the nation watches for justice to prevail or politics to triumph once more.