Smallest Ally Shines in Bihar Results: Mahagathbandhan’s Surprise Winner Stuns Political Circles

While the opposition Mahagathbandhan performed poorly in the Bihar Assembly election results, the coalition’s smallest member delivered an unexpected and impressive victory. I.P. Gupta (55) of the Indian Inclusive Party drew national attention by successfully mobilising marginalised communities that had long remained on the political sidelines. His stunning win has surprised political observers across the state.

Wins Saharsa by Over 2,000 Votes

Gupta clinched the Saharsa seat by a margin of more than 2,000 votes, defeating the BJP candidate and making a powerful debut for his party within the Mahagathbandhan. The Indian Inclusive Party had contested only three seats as part of the alliance, making this victory even more remarkable.

Big Players Falter, Small Party Steals the Spotlight

The result has shocked many, especially when compared with the performance of larger political outfits. Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj Party, despite contesting over 235 seats, failed to win even one. Similarly, Mukesh Sahani’s VIP, which fielded candidates on 12 seats, also drew a blank. In contrast, I.P. Gupta’s maiden victory stood out as a major upset in an election full of surprises.

Champion of the Tanti–Tatwa Community

Gupta, who quit the Congress in 2023, has been actively working for the rights of the Tanti–Tatwa community—a group placed under the Extremely Backward Class (EBC) category and forming roughly 1–2% of the population. He led campaigns demanding a separate reservation for the Tanti–Tatwa and Paan communities.

Gupta had criticized the NDA government for the Supreme Court verdict that overturned a decision granting SC quota benefits to the Tanti–Tatwa community, placing them again under the EBC category.

Massive Gandhi Maidan Rally Boosted Momentum

A major turning point came with Gupta’s grand rally at Patna’s Gandhi Maidan in April, which catapulted him onto the radar of every political party ahead of the elections. According to Gupta, he received offers from the NDA, AIMIM, and the Mahagathbandhan, but eventually joined the opposition alliance. He met Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav, later alleging that the NDA tried to undermine his political influence during the talks.

Engineer-Turned-Leader Emerges as Rising Political Force

An engineer by education and businessman by profession, I.P. Gupta transitioned into politics and quickly mastered caste-based mobilisation. In Bihar—where electoral outcomes often hinge on caste arithmetic—Gupta’s victory significantly elevates his stature and positions him as a rising and influential player in state politics.