Patna: In the aftermath of the Mahagathbandhan’s disappointing performance in the 2025 Bihar assembly elections, a relatively obscure ally has provided one of the coalition’s few highlights. Indrajeet Prasad Gupta, commonly known as I P Gupta, achieved a vital win from Saharsa for his nascent India Inclusive Party (IIP), a result that has garnered attention for both its margin and the political journey leading up to it. Gupta overcame BJP’s Alok Ranjan by a margin of 2,038 votes, garnering 115,036 votes compared to Ranjan’s 112,998. Jan Suraaj finished in third position. The IIP, which contested only three seats, secured one of them—surpassing the performance of several established partners within the Mahagathbandhan.
For example, the Congress party contested 61 seats but only won six. Gupta launched the IIP in July 2023, having previously been a Congress leader, and has gradually built his public profile over the last two years. His pivotal moment occurred in April 2025 when the party attracted thousands to a rally at Patna’s Gandhi Maidan, where they advocated for a “separate quota” for the Tanti-Pan community, classified among the Extremely Backward Classes. This mobilization indicated a growing sentiment among weaving communities seeking greater political representation. Gupta’s personal narrative reflects this shift.
Originating from Patauna village in the Jamui district, he is trained as an engineer with an M.Tech degree and has experience in the IT sector while also managing a business in Mumbai. He identifies with the Tanti or weaver group, which is part of the broader Pan community—an electorate he aims to consolidate politically. His initial electoral attempt occurred in 2020 when he ran for the SC-reserved Sikandra seat in Jamui, finishing far behind with only 5% of the vote, marking his entry into electoral politics. Subsequently, he joined the Congress but resigned in April this year—shortly after establishing the IIP.
Gupta’s narrow victory in Saharsa has provided an unforeseen morale boost for the Mahagathbandhan and firmly positioned the IIP on Bihar’s political landscape. With one seat and an expanding base among EBC communities, the party’s forthcoming actions will likely be closely scrutinized as Bihar’s political landscape shifts following the election.
