In a landmark result from Bihar’s assembly elections, folk singer-turned-politician Maithili Thakur appears to be on course for a major and historic win in the Alinagar constituency, making it the first time the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has secured that seat since its creation in 2008. The 25-year-old performer, who entered electoral politics earlier this year, is leading her rival from the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Binod Mishra, by a comfortable margin as counting continues.
With a strong lead after 14 of the 24 rounds of vote-tallying, Thakur is also poised to become the youngest member of the Bihar Legislative Assembly. Her debut in politics is thus drawing attention not only for its individual success but also for breaking new ground for her party in the region.
Born on July 25, 2000 in Madhubani, Bihar, Thakur comes from a family rooted in music. Her father, Ramesh Thakur, is a classical singer and educator who trained her from a young age; her mother Pooja managed household affairs; and she performs alongside her brothers Ayachi and Rishabh as a trio celebrating traditional folk songs of the region.
Known nationally for her folk and devotional renditions, Thakur rose to fame via social-media platforms where her performances have garnered millions of views. Her participation in the 2017 reality show Rising Star — in which she finished as the first runner-up — further boosted her public profile.
Earlier this year, she joined the BJP and was chosen to contest the Alinagar seat. Her campaign drew heavily on her cultural appeal and her digital-savvy youth following — a mix that helped her tap into first-time and younger voters, especially in this part of Bihar.
For many observers, her win represents more than just electoral victory: it signals a blending of cultural identity, youth energy and political change in the Mithilanchal region. It also marks an important strategic breakthrough for the BJP in a constituency it has never won before.
Reference is taken from here