Popular folk and devotional singer Maithili Thakur has responded to rumours that she might contest in the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections. While she did not confirm her political plans, she said she feels a strong emotional connection to her home constituency.
Recently, Maithili met BJP election in-charge Vinod Tawde and Union Minister Nityanand Rai, which led to speculation that she may contest on a BJP ticket from a seat in Darbhanga. Photos from their meeting went viral on social media.
Vinod Tawde posted pictures from the meeting on X (formerly Twitter) and said that Maithili, whose family had left Bihar in 1995 during Lalu Prasad Yadav’s rule, now wishes to return after seeing the state’s progress.
Speaking to reporters, Maithili said,
“I have seen the news on TV. Yes, I met Nityanand Rai and Vinod Tawde and we discussed Bihar’s future. There’s no official announcement yet, but let’s see what happens. I would love to contest from my village constituency because I’m emotionally attached to it.”
Her comments have created a buzz in political circles, especially as several artists and cultural figures are expected to enter politics before the polls.
When asked about her political leanings, she did not give a clear answer.
“I don’t want to comment on this right now. I only wish to contribute to the country’s development in whatever way I can,” she said.
Although there has been no formal confirmation of her joining politics, her remarks have increased curiosity about her next steps.
Who is Maithili Thakur?
Maithili Thakur is a folk and classical singer from Benipatti, in Madhubani district, Bihar. She was named the State Icon of Bihar by the Election Commission. In 2021, she received the Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar from the Sangeet Natak Akademi for promoting Bihar’s folk traditions.
Trained by her father and grandfather, Maithili and her brothers are known for their beautiful renditions of classical, devotional, and folk songs.
Bihar Election Dates
The Bihar Assembly elections will be held in two phases — on November 6 and November 11.
The counting of votes will take place on November 14.
A total of 243 assembly seats will go to polls, making it one of the most closely watched elections of the year.
