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New Delhi, October 15 (IANS) Famous folk and devotional singer Maithili Thakur, known for her contribution to Maithili culture, has been named by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as its candidate from Alinagar assembly constituency in Darbhanga district for the upcoming Bihar assembly elections.
The 25-year-old singer from Benipatti in Madhubani district, who joined the BJP on Tuesday in the presence of state party president Dilip Jaiswal, will replace sitting BJP MLA Mishrilal Yadav, whose ticket was removed amid reports of dissatisfaction with the party’s internal dynamics.
Thakur’s nomination is a strategic move by the BJP to leverage his popularity among youth and cultural enthusiasts to strengthen its appeal in the Mithilanchal region, where Alinagar has emerged as a key battleground seat.
Expressing her intention to promote Maithili traditions through public service after assuming charge on Tuesday, Thakur said, “I am very impressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. I am here to serve the society and contribute to the development of Bihar.”
Sources indicated that Thakur’s entry into politics was preceded by meetings with BJP election in-charge Vinod Tawde and Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai last week, escalating speculation about his electoral debut.
The BJP’s first list of 71 candidates, released earlier this week, already includes a mix of experienced and newcomers, in line with the NDA’s seat-sharing agreement, where the BJP and JD(U) will contest 101 seats each.
Voting for the 243-member Bihar Assembly will be held in two phases on November 6 and 11, the results of which will be declared on November 14.
The NDA, which includes the BJP, JD(U), LJP (Ram Vilas) and smaller allies, faces a tough challenge from Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraj Party as well as the opposition grand alliance led by the RJD and Congress.
–IANS
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