The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday announced its second list of candidates for the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections, unveiling 12 names that reflect a blend of political veterans, administrative figures, and cultural personalities. Among the most notable inclusions is acclaimed folk singer Maithili Thakur, who will contest from the Alinagar constituency. Thakur’s candidacy underscores the BJP’s continued strategy of fielding popular and influential figures with deep social connections to strengthen its grassroots presence ahead of a crucial electoral battle.

The announcement, made on October 15, 2025, adds momentum to the party’s campaign following the release of its first list of 71 candidates a day earlier. With the elections for Bihar’s 243-member assembly set to take place in two phases—on November 6 and November 11—and the counting of votes scheduled for November 14, the BJP is rapidly completing its candidate selection process while simultaneously shaping the narrative around governance, cultural identity, and development.

Maithili Thakur’s Political Debut

Maithili Thakur, a young and widely celebrated folk and classical singer known for her renditions of traditional Maithili, Bhojpuri, and Hindi songs, marks one of the most high-profile first-time candidates in this round of announcements. Hailing from the Darbhanga region, which is also the heart of Mithilanchal culture, her nomination is seen as a strategic move by the BJP to appeal to the cultural pride and linguistic sentiment of the Maithil-speaking population.

Thakur has amassed a massive following on social media platforms and is often praised for preserving and popularizing the folk traditions of Bihar through her music. Her family’s musical journey—from local performances to national fame—has made her a household name not just in Bihar, but across India. Her candidacy is expected to attract the support of youth and women voters, as well as those who see her as a symbol of cultural resurgence.

Party insiders suggest that the BJP leadership views Thakur’s inclusion as part of its broader outreach to non-political influencers who embody regional identity and authenticity. The decision aligns with the party’s strategy of blending governance credentials with emotional and cultural connect—an approach that has previously paid dividends in several states.

The Full List of Candidates

In addition to Maithili Thakur’s nomination from Alinagar, the BJP’s second list names Ram Chandra Prasad from Hayaghat, Vinay Kumar Singh from Sonepur, Anand Mishra, a serving IPS officer turned politician, from Buxar, and Siyaram Singh from Barh.

Birendra Kumar and Mahesh Paswan have been fielded from Rosera and Agiaon seats, respectively, while Ranjan Kumar will contest from Muzaffarpur and Subhash Singh from Gopalganj. The remaining candidates—whose details are yet to be officially elaborated upon by the party—represent constituencies across North and South Bihar, ensuring a geographically balanced representation.

The list reflects the BJP’s emphasis on combining local loyalty with professional credibility. Anand Mishra’s inclusion, for instance, brings an administrative dimension to the party’s campaign, given his background in law enforcement. Meanwhile, the nomination of long-serving political workers like Ram Chandra Prasad and Siyaram Singh ensures the presence of experienced leadership in the electoral fray.

Context: The BJP’s Expanding Strategy

This second list follows the BJP’s first list of 71 candidates, which included senior leaders and incumbent ministers such as Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary from Tarapur and Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha from Lakhisarai. Together, the two lists indicate the party’s intent to field a mix of established politicians and fresh faces as part of its “Team Bihar” campaign narrative.

The BJP’s strategy for the 2025 assembly polls appears centered around three key themes: continuity of governance, cultural pride, and inclusion of new leadership. The party is highlighting its record in infrastructure, law and order, and welfare schemes, while simultaneously tapping into regional pride through candidates like Maithili Thakur, who evoke strong emotional and cultural appeal.

With the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) facing a formidable challenge from the opposition alliance led by the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and the Congress, candidate selection has become a decisive factor. The BJP’s choice of candidates with diverse professional and cultural backgrounds signals a deliberate effort to broaden its electoral base beyond traditional caste and community lines.

The Symbolism of Maithili Thakur’s Nomination

Political observers have described Maithili Thakur’s nomination as symbolic of the BJP’s understanding of Bihar’s shifting social landscape. Unlike earlier decades, when caste equations dominated electoral politics in the state, the current political climate rewards cultural capital, media visibility, and aspirational appeal. Thakur embodies these elements—representing modernity rooted in tradition, and a narrative of empowerment through art and education.

Her name carries immense resonance in the Mithila region, an area that has historically played a pivotal role in Bihar’s political and cultural evolution. By nominating her from Alinagar, the BJP appears to be consolidating its position in the north-eastern belt of the state, where cultural identity often influences voter sentiment as strongly as development metrics.

Moreover, her nomination can be seen as part of a larger trend where Indian political parties, including the BJP, have increasingly sought to draw cultural icons, artists, and sportspersons into active politics. Such figures often bring organic popularity and trust that traditional political campaigns struggle to achieve.

Electoral Dynamics and Voter Landscape

The upcoming Bihar Assembly election will test not just party strategies but also the strength of alliances and individual candidates. The BJP, as part of the NDA, is banking on its governance track record and welfare schemes such as housing, sanitation, and rural electrification, along with the central government’s programs for farmers and youth.

At the same time, the opposition has sharpened its narrative around unemployment, price rise, and agrarian distress. In this context, candidates like Maithili Thakur, who have direct resonance with the public, are likely to play an influential role in mobilizing first-time and undecided voters.

Her campaign, observers predict, will likely blend traditional cultural outreach—through music and performance—with modern digital engagement, creating a unique grassroots movement that could redefine local campaigning methods in Bihar.

The Road Ahead

With polling scheduled in two phases—on November 6 and November 11—the BJP and its allies have just a few weeks to consolidate voter support across 243 constituencies. As the party finalizes its remaining candidates, attention is expected to turn toward manifesto releases, alliance seat-sharing clarifications, and high-profile rallies featuring national leaders.

The inclusion of Maithili Thakur and other fresh candidates represents a generational shift within the BJP’s Bihar unit. It highlights the party’s attempt to cultivate a new crop of leaders who can blend cultural identity with governance priorities and appeal to a demographically young electorate.

In the coming weeks, Bihar’s political landscape will likely see a convergence of tradition and transformation—where folk music may share the stage with political rhetoric, and cultural symbols will become vehicles of electoral persuasion. Whether Maithili Thakur’s melodious voice can strike a chord in the political arena remains to be seen, but her candidacy has undoubtedly added a note of freshness and intrigue to the state’s unfolding electoral symphony.