Singer Maithili Thakur emerges as BJP’s likely candidate from Alinagar constituency.
Singer Maithili Thakur may enter politics as BJP’s likely candidate from Alinagar, sparking excitement among youth and voters in Mithilanchal (Photo: Pinterest)
NEW DELHI: After Bhojpuri singer Pawan Singh, the BJP is now reportedly considering folk and classical singer Maithili Thakur as its next celebrity candidate for the forthcoming Bihar Assembly elections.
According to party insiders, Thakur’s name is under active consideration for the Alinagar constituency, though an official confirmation is still awaited.
Notably, the BJP has a long history of leveraging the popularity of well-known public figures during elections. After drawing attention with Bhojpuri stars, the party now appears to be focusing on wooing voters from the Mithilanchal region, the native area of Maithili Thakur.
A celebrated folk and classical singer, Thakur has earned recognition across India for her musical prowess and is now on the verge of making her political debut.
Recently, Maithili Thakur met with Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai and senior BJP leader Vinod Tawde. The meeting gained political traction after Tawde posted a congratulatory message on social media, referring to her as the “daughter of Bihar,” fueling speculation about her entry into politics.
When asked about the rumours, Thakur neither confirmed nor denied them but expressed her deep emotional bond with her native region. Speaking to reporters, she said, “I recently visited Bihar and had the opportunity to meet Nityanand Rai and Vinod Tawde. We discussed Bihar’s future. There has been no official announcement so far, but let’s see what happens. I would prefer to represent my village constituency because I feel a strong attachment to it.”
Born on July 25, 2000, in Benipatti village of Madhubani district, Maithili Thakur has made a significant mark in both Maithili folk and Indian classical music. Her immense popularity is evident from the fact that the Election Commission of India appointed her as the State Icon of Bihar to promote voter awareness.
Prior to the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, she was also named the brand ambassador for Madhubani district, as well as for the promotion of Khadi and Village Industries. With a vast and engaged social media following, she enjoys considerable influence among Bihar’s youth and first-time voters.
A political analyst closely observing Bihar’s political landscape told The Sunday Guardian that the move to field Maithili Thakur from Alinagar would be a strategic decision by the BJP. The party has won this seat in the last two Assembly elections, but growing dissatisfaction with the sitting MLA, Mishri Lal Yadav, and his alleged anti-party behaviour has raised internal concerns.
By fielding Maithili, the BJP aims to counter anti-incumbency and harness her popularity to strengthen its position in the constituency.
With the election schedule now announced, the race for one of Bihar’s most-watched political contests has begun in earnest. The state’s 243 Assembly seats will go to polls in two phases—November 6 and November 11—with vote counting scheduled for November 14.
It will soon become clear whether Maithili Thakur’s potential entry into politics is mere speculation or a calculated addition to the BJP’s election strategy. Should her candidacy be confirmed, Alinagar may witness a surge of enthusiasm from young voters and music lovers alike.
Meanwhile, Prashant Kishore’s Jan Suraj has already announced singer-actor Ritesh Pandey as its candidate for the Kargahar Assembly seat in Rohtas district. Additionally, there is growing speculation about Khesari Lal Yadav’s political debut. Although he has not yet revealed his intentions, it is widely believed that Khesari may contest the upcoming elections on an RJD ticket.
