Delhi High Court Dismisses Plea on JD(U) Organisational Elections

The Delhi High Court rejected a plea from former Janata Dal (United) leader Govind Yadav contesting the legitimacy of the party's organisational elections. The court found no reason to interfere, stating that the matter was outside its jurisdiction under Article 226. The elections in question occurred in 2016, 2019, and 2022.

The Delhi High Court has dismissed a plea filed by former Janata Dal (United) leader Govind Yadav challenging the party's organisational elections.

According to the court, there was no convincing reason to grant the relief sought by Yadav. The court determined that the plea fell outside the jurisdictional scope of Article 226 of the Constitution of India, which grants high courts the authority to issue writs and orders to enforce citizens' fundamental rights. As a result, the writ petition was dismissed.

Yadav had sought a declaration that the internal elections of JD(U) held in 2016, 2019, and 2022 were conducted in breach of the party's constitution. His grievance stemmed from an April 1, 2016 communication to the Election Commission of India (ECI) indicating that Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had been elected JD(U) president.

The court concluded that Section 29A of the Representation of the People Act does not grant the ECI supervisorial jurisdiction over a political party's adherence to its constitution once registered.

(With inputs from agencies.)