Key Points:
- Folk singer Maithili Thakur officially joined BJP on October 14, 2025, ahead of Bihar Assembly elections scheduled for November 2025.
- The 25-year-old singer is likely to contest from Alinagar constituency in Darbhanga district, not Madhubani’s Alinagar as earlier speculated.
- BJP inducted Thakur to appeal to youth and cultural voters; she commands over 6.3 million Instagram followers.
- Thakur cited inspiration from PM Modi and Bihar CM Nitish Kumar as reasons for her political entry.
- She distanced herself from Bollywood after Sushant Singh Rajput’s death, focusing exclusively on folk songs and bhajans.
Patna: Popular Maithili folk and devotional singer Maithili Thakur made her formal political debut on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, by joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in a high-profile ceremony in Patna. Bihar BJP President Dilip Jaiswal inducted the 25-year-old singer into the party just weeks before the state’s crucial assembly elections scheduled for November 6 and 11.
Party sources indicate that Thakur is likely to be fielded from the Alinagar assembly seat in Darbhanga district, marking a strategic move by the BJP to attract young voters and strengthen its cultural appeal in the Mithilanchal region.
From Madhubani to Patna: Maithili’s Journey
Born on July 25, 2000, in Benipatti, Madhubani district, Maithili Thakur hails from a musical family. Her father, Ramesh Thakur, is a music teacher who, along with her grandfather, taught her classical and traditional Maithili folk music from an early age. The family relocated to Delhi in pursuit of better employment opportunities, where young Maithili’s musical journey began amid considerable struggle.
Repeated rejections marked her path to stardom. She faced initial setbacks on popular reality shows, including “Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Little Champs” and “Indian Idol Junior,” being rejected six times by various singing competitions. However, her persistence paid off when she became the first runner-up on the reality show “The Rising Star” in 2017, which launched her into mainstream recognition.
Social Media Stardom and PM Modi’s Recognition
Maithili Thakur has emerged as a major social media sensation, particularly for her devotional hymns and folk songs, which are performed in multiple languages. Her YouTube videos dedicated to Lord Ram consistently garner millions of views, establishing her as a cultural icon among younger audiences. She currently commands a massive following of over 6.3 million on Instagram, making her one of Bihar’s most influential digital creators.
In recognition of her cultural contributions and digital influence, Thakur was honored by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the National Creator Awards in 2024. She shared a selfie from the event with her millions of followers, further cementing her status as a youth icon.
Performance Fees and Bollywood Distance
According to industry sources, Maithili Thakur commands a performance fee ranging from ₹5-7 lakh per show for her live concerts in India and abroad, reflecting her substantial commercial appeal and growing popularity in the folk music circuit.
Significantly, following the tragic death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput, Thakur made a conscious decision to distance herself from Bollywood and film music. Since then, she has exclusively focused on folk songs and devotional bhajans, staying true to her cultural roots and traditional musical heritage.
Political Motivation and Vision
Speaking after joining the BJP, Thakur emphasized that her political entry was motivated by service rather than personal ambition. “I am very impressed with PM Modi and Bihar CM Nitish Kumar. Drawing inspiration from them, I am here to support them,” she stated at the induction ceremony.
She clarified her vision, saying, “I do not believe that joining a political party makes you a politician; I am here to serve society and take their ideology to every person.” Calling herself the “daughter of Mithila,” Thakur emphasized that her soul and identity remain deeply rooted in her homeland.
Thakur also expressed her long-standing admiration for Prime Minister Modi, revealing that she has been a regular listener of his “Mann Ki Baat” programme and live speeches, which continuously inspired her to contribute to public service.
Strategic Constituency Choice
While Thakur initially expressed a preference for contesting from her hometown, Benipatti in Madhubani district, the BJP is likely to field her from Alinagar in Darbhanga district instead. The Alinagar seat is currently held by BJP MLA Mishri Lal Yadav, who was recently acquitted by the Patna High Court in a criminal case. However, internal BJP surveys reportedly show a decline in Yadav’s popularity, prompting the party to consider Thakur as a fresh face.
Thakur has connections to both Madhubani and Darbhanga districts; her grandmother’s village is in Madhubani, while her maternal grandmother belonged to Darbhanga. “People from both places love me equally. But ultimately, it will be the party’s decision,” she had stated earlier.
BJP’s Youth and Cultural Strategy
Maithili Thakur’s induction is viewed as a strategic masterstroke by the BJP ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections. Her massive social media following, cultural credentials, and strong connection to the Mithilanchal region are expected to help the party establish a stronger foothold among young voters, women, and cultural communities.
When asked about her electoral role, Thakur maintained, “The party will know what they have in mind for me; I am here just to support them. I will do whatever the party orders”.
Bihar’s 243-seat Legislative Assembly will go to the polls on November 6 and 11, 2025, with counting scheduled for November 15. The BJP-JD(U) alliance faces a strong challenge from the Mahagatbandhan coalition in what is expected to be a closely contested election.
