In a significant development, the Cooperative Election Authority under the Ministry of Cooperation, Government of India, has granted formal approval to the election of office bearers of Bihar-based BISCOMAUN, following the recent dismissal of a writ petition by the Jharkhand High Court.
With this, Vishal Singh, a cooperator from Bihar and grandson of the well-known cooperator Late Tapeshwar Singh, has become the new Chairman of BISCOMAUN, replacing RJD strongman Sunil Kumar Singh, who held the position for over a decade.
Meanwhile, Mahesh Rai, son of Late Nagina Rai, a former Lok Sabha MP and a prominent political figure from Bihar, has been elected as the Vice-Chairman of BISCOMAUN.
While attending the ICA Global Cooperative Conference in Manchester (UK), Singh wrote on his Facebook wall, ‘I am currently in Manchester (UK), attending the ICA Global Cooperative Conference. Amidst this, I’ve received the heartening news from Patna that I have been elected as the Chairman of BISCOMAUN and Shri Mahesh Rai as Vice-Chairman. This victory belongs to all cooperative colleagues and voters who supported us with dedication over the past months. I am committed to working with utmost honesty and integrity”.
According to an official communication issued by the Office of the Cooperative Election Authority in New Delhi, the Authority has acted upon the recommendations submitted by the District Collector-cum-Returning Officer (RO) of BISCOMAUN.
“The approved names include Vishal Singh as Chairperson and Mahesh Rai as Vice-Chairperson of BISCOMAUN. The Election Authority has instructed the RO to declare the results without delay and directed the CEO of BISCOMAUN to display the election outcome prominently on the society’s official website,” the order copy reads.
The development comes after the Jharkhand government challenged the exclusion of its nominee from the BISCOMAUN Board by filing W.P.(C) No. 2485 of 2025 before the Jharkhand High Court. The state claimed it had sufficient equity shareholding and legal grounds under both the Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act, 2002, and BISCOMAUN’s bye-laws to nominate a director.
However, in its judgment dated 1st July 2025, the Jharkhand High Court ruled that such a dispute between two states over legal rights falls under Article 131 of the Constitution, which grants exclusive jurisdiction to the Supreme Court of India. The court thus dismissed the writ petition, advising the State of Jharkhand to seek remedy from the appropriate constitutional forum.
Taking note of the judgment, the Cooperative Election Authority concluded that there was no further legal restraint on the election process and proceeded to approve the results based on the RO’s earlier recommendation.
The decision brings closure to the uncertainty surrounding the BISCOMAUN board elections and is expected to restore administrative stability. It also signals the Centre’s resolve to ensure timely elections and good governance in key cooperative institutions.
