With hours left for the Election Commission of India to announce the dates of the Assembly Elections in Bihar, the focus is now on seat-sharing, and aspiring contestants are emerging from the shadows. The latest to come under the limelight is popular Bihari folk singer Maithili Thakur.
The former contestant of Indian Idol and Zee TV’s Sa Re Ga Ma Pa, Maithili, set tongues wagging after she was seen meeting BJP leaders' general secretary Vinod Tawde, who is also the party’s state in-charge, and senior leader Nityanand Rai. Maithili, who turned 25 this year, was seen with her father during the meeting.
Tawde took to social media to share her image. His caption also hinted that Maithili might be a BJP candidate. “The famous singer Maithili Thakur ji, daughter of the family that left Bihar when Lalu Prasad Yadav came to power in 1995, wants to come back to Bihar after seeing the pace of change in Bihar. Today, Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai ji and I requested her that the common man of Bihar expects her contribution for the people of Bihar and for the development of Bihar, and she should fulfill their expectations. Best wishes to Maithili Thakur ji, daughter of Bihar!"
Maithili’s reply, too, didn’t reveal much. “Every conversation with those who dream big for Bihar reminds me of the power of vision and service. Deeply honored and grateful to Shri Nityanand Rai ji and Shri Vinod Shridhar Tawde ji," she wrote.
Speculations are that Maithili will contest from the Alinagar seat in Darbhanga district, a seat which is now held by Mishri Lal Yadav of Vikassheel Insaan Party, an NDA ally.
Maithili Thakur, who took Maithili, Bhojpuri, and Hindi folk songs to new heights with her melodious voice, is not new to the public sphere. Hailing from Benipatti in Madhubani, Maithili was appointed the "State Icon" of Bihar by the Election Commission. She was also selected for the Sangeet Natak Akademi's Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar for 2021 for her contributions to Bihar's folk music. |
