Bihar polls: Singer Maithili Thakur in BJP’s second list

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday released its second list of candidates for the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections, adding 12 more names to its roster. With this, the party has announced candidates for 83 out of the 101 seats allotted to it within the NDA alliance.

The highlight of this batch is folk singer Maithili Thakur, who will contest from the Alinagar constituency in Darbhanga. Former IPS officer Anand Mishra has also been included, fielded from Buxar. The remaining seats in this list include a mix of experienced politicians and new faces, reflecting the party’s effort to combine credibility with fresh appeal.

This follows the first list of 71 candidates released on Tuesday, which included prominent leaders such as Deputy Chief Ministers Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Sinha, former Deputy CMs Renu Devi and Tarkishore Prasad, and seasoned legislators like Ramkripal Yadav. Some veterans, however, have been sidelined, including Assembly Speaker Nand Kishore Yadav and Arun Kumar Sinha, indicating the party’s focus on revitalizing its ticket distribution.

The BJP’s strategy demonstrates a careful balance between political experience and popular appeal. By fielding a cultural icon like Maithili Thakur, the party aims to connect with younger voters and the culturally influential Mithila region. At the same time, sidelining long-term incumbents signals a willingness to adapt to local dynamics and curb anti-incumbency sentiments.

With NDA allies like JD(U) finalizing their candidates and the opposition yet to reveal its lineup, Bihar’s electoral landscape is taking shape rapidly. How voters respond to this mix of celebrities, seasoned politicians, and fresh faces will be a key factor in shaping the results when polling begins on November 6.