Maithili Thakur Becomes Bihar’s Youngest MLA

Introduction

The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has established a strong lead over the Opposition bloc, the Mahagathabandhan (MGB), securing a dominant position in 188 seats. Amid this political momentum, several young candidates—such as Sonu Kumar from Goh, Naveen Kumar and Amrita Soni from Batnaha, Kundan Kumar from Sheikhpura, Shambhu Babu from Supaul, and Rajkumar Sada from Simri Bakhtiarpur—are emerging as notable contenders in the electoral landscape. With the average age of candidates in the two-phased Bihar elections hovering around 51 years, this new generation stands out prominently.

A Historic Win for Alinagar and the Rise of a Young Leader

Among these youthful candidates, Ms. Thakur shines brightest. Not only does she represent the youngest face in the assembly, but her victory also marks the first-ever win for the BJP in Alinagar—a constituency in Darbhanga known for its significant Muslim population. Her win adds to historical milestones previously set by younger MLAs such as independent candidate Tauseef Alam at age 26 in 2005 and RJD’s Tejashwi Yadav, also elected at 26 in 2015.

From Television Stardom to Public Service

Coming from Benipatti in Madhubani district, Ms. Thakur carries the cultural richness of Indian classical and devotional music. Her journey to national recognition began with television appearances on shows like Rising Star, where her fusion of folk and Sufi music in twelve languages captivated audiences worldwide.

A Family-Driven Campaign Rooted in Culture

Her political journey was a collective effort. Her younger brother Rishav Thakur, a tabla player, and her youngest sibling Ayachi Thakur joined her in delivering soulful folk performances throughout the campaign. Meanwhile, her maternal uncles, Nand Kishore Jha and Sumit Jha, managed logistical operations. With a clear vision for her constituency, she has expressed plans to introduce Mithila painting as an extracurricular school activity, rename Alinagar to Sitanagar, improve educational opportunities—especially for girls—and expand employment options for the region’s youth.

Alinagar: A Constituency of Diversity and Shifting Political Currents

Part of the Darbhanga area, Alinagar represents a blend of upper-caste Brahmins, a substantial Muslim population, Yadavs, and various Extremely Backward Classes including Mallahs and Paswans. Traditionally an MGB stronghold since 2008, it witnessed victories by RJD’s Abdul Bari Siddiqui in 2010 and 2015, followed by VIP’s Mishri Lal Yadav in 2020. When the BJP decided to drop Mr. Mishra—who faced a two-year prison sentence in a 2019 criminal case—he resigned from the party, paving the way for a notable shift in political dynamics.

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Sorit Chaudhary

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