Indian Inquilab Party launched with bold claims of change; stakes have now become higher for the old guard
NEW DELHI – As the Bihar Assembly elections draw nearer, the political scene in the state has become more heated, with several new parties emerging to contest against the longstanding influence of figures like Lalu Prasad Yadav, Nitish Kumar, and Ram Vilas Paswan.
In what seems to be a significant shift, four new parties have sprouted in the last seven months, each with unique agendas and aspirations. The Indian Inquilab Party, announced by IP Gupta, President of the All India Paan Mahasangh, on Sunday at a massive rally in Patna’s iconic Gandhi Maidan, is the latest addition to this burgeoning political landscape.
Gupta, in front of thousands of supporters, declared that his party was not just another political entity, but a movement aimed at empowering the marginalised sections of society. “The time has come to take the voice of the neglected to power. We are not here just to contest elections but to create history,” he proclaimed. He further emphasised that the rally was a pivotal step toward uniting communities that had long been divided. “This is not just a show of strength; it’s a historic attempt to bring together the society that has been fractured for decades,” Gupta added.
The Indian Inquilab Party’s launch signals a broader trend of rising political alternatives in Bihar. Gupta, addressing the gathering, also made a pointed challenge to the state’s established political giants, including Jitan Ram Manjhi, Lalu Yadav, and Nitish Kumar. He argued that the success of these leaders was largely due to the united support of their respective communities. “When communities like Tanti-Tatva, who have been sidelined for years, awaken, they will form their own political force,” he declared. Gupta’s message resonated with many who felt their communities had been marginalised in the state’s political narrative for too long.
The last several months have witnessed a surge in new political formations in Bihar. In October 2024, Prashant Kishore launched the Jan Suraj Party, aiming to contest every seat in the upcoming elections. Soon after, RCP Singh, a former close ally of Nitish Kumar, introduced his party, Aap Sabki Awaaz, in November. Former IPS officer Shivdeep Lande also joined the ranks with his Hind Sena earlier this month, asserting his stake in Bihar’s political future. Each of these leaders has cited the need for a shift from traditional caste-based politics and expressed hopes of ushering in an era of new leadership focused on integrity and development.
This growing political variety raises the question: Will these new parties challenge the entrenched power of the Grand Alliance (led by Tejashwi Yadav’s RJD) and the NDA (headed by Nitish Kumar)? While some of these new parties, like the Indian Inquilab Party, appear to focus on rallying specific caste-based support, others like Kishore’s Jan Suraj Party claim to represent a cleaner, more inclusive political vision.
The competition has become increasingly complex with the inclusion of smaller players, including Asaduddin Owaisi’s AIMIM, Chandrashekhar Azad’s Azad Samaj Party, and Mayawati’s BSP. These parties, along with the newly formed ones, have the potential to significantly impact the vote distribution, particularly in key regions where caste and religious politics have long played a dominant role.
In the 2020 Bihar elections, the NDA coalition, which included Jitan Ram Manjhi’s Hindustan Awam Morcha and Chirag Paswan’s LJP, triumphed, while the Grand Alliance faced setbacks, especially in areas like Seemanchal, where Owaisi’s AIMIM made a notable impact. Now, with these four new parties entering the fray, the stakes are higher. Analysts believe the fragmentation of votes, especially among the youth and backward classes, could work to the advantage of the NDA, particularly if the opposition is unable to weave a united front.
Gupta’s Indian Inquilab Party, in particular, has drawn attention for its efforts to consolidate the backward and marginalised communities. “We are looking to build a force for those who have been denied their fair share of power, respect, and representation,” Gupta explained, highlighting his party’s mission to bring about radical change.
