BJP fields 12 more names for Bihar polls; folk singer Maithili Thakur to contest from Alinagar
New Delhi / Patna
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday released a second list of 12 candidates for the Bihar Assembly elections, among whom folk singer Maithili Thakur has been fielded from the Alinagar constituency.
Of the 12, nine are fresh faces, reflecting the party’s attempt to broaden its appeal ahead of the polls.
Maithili Thakur: from music to politics
Thakur’s entry into electoral politics marks a notable development in BJP’s strategy, particularly in the Mithilanchal region. By nominating her for Alinagar, the party appears to be banking on her youth appeal and cultural connect in the region. Speaking after her induction, Thakur said, “I am very impressed with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. I am here to serve society and contribute to the development of Bihar,” adding that she intends to promote Maithili cultural traditions through public service.
Other candidates and ticket revisions
Prominent among the remaining names is former IPS officer Anand Mishra, who will contest from Buxar. The list also includes Virendra Kumar (Rosera) and Chhoti Kumari (Chhapra). Two sitting MLAs l, Ramchandra Prasad (Hayaghat) and Birendra Kumar (Rosera), have been renominated.
Notably, the BJP has withdrawn tickets from several incumbents. Gyanendra Singh Gyanu (Barh), C.N. Gupta (Chhapra), and Kusum Devi (Gopalganj) will not be contesting on BJP tickets this time. As part of the reshuffle, Ram Chandra Prasad is now the candidate for Hayaghat, and Rakesh Ojha has been fielded from Shahpur. Mahesh Paswan will run from Agiaon, a seat contested previously by JD(U).
A significant proportion of new faces in this list suggests BJP is responding to the challenge posed by Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj Party (JSP), which has attracted attention for fielding a diverse slate of candidates from across different walks of life.
With this announcement, the BJP moves closer to finalising its candidate roster for the 2025 Bihar Assembly polls, in a fiercely contested electoral landscape.
