From Stage to State: Maithili Thakur's Historic Political Debut
In a remarkable turn of events, Maithili Thakur, the celebrated folk singer and reality TV star, is poised to create political history in Bihar. At just 25 years of age, she is leading comfortably in the Alinagar Assembly constituency and is set to become the youngest Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) ever elected in the state, according to trends on November 14, 2025.
A Musical Prodigy's Early Journey
Long before her foray into politics, Maithili Thakur was a household name in the world of Indian music. Born into a musical family in Bihar's Madhubani district, her talent was nurtured from a very young age. She received rigorous training in Maithili folk music and Hindustani classical music from her grandfather and father, also learning to play the harmonium and tabla.
Recognizing her exceptional potential, her father relocated the family to Delhi's Dwarka area when Maithili was just 10 years old. There, she began performing at jagrans and various musical events, honing her skills for a national audience.
Her breakthrough came with television music competitions. At 11, she appeared on Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Little Champs. By 15, she was a contestant on Indian Idol Junior on Sony TV. A year later, at 16, she won the ‘I Genius Young Singing Star’ competition. She later participated in Rising Star, finishing as a runner-up by a nail-biting margin of just two votes.
Rising Fame and Political Ascent
The advent of social media catapulted Maithili to unprecedented fame. Her music videos on platforms like Facebook and YouTube went viral, helping her amass a massive and devoted digital fanbase. She frequently performed alongside her brothers, Rishav and Ayachi, at national and international events.
Her deep connection to her roots was evident as she became a cultural ambassador for her region. In 2019, she and her brothers were appointed as brand ambassadors for Madhubani by the Election Commission. Her contributions were formally recognized by the Government of India when she received the Atal Mithila Samman. In 2021, she was honoured with the Lokmat Sur Jyotsna National Music Award, presented by Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur.
She further cemented her cultural influence by performing the revered Ramcharitmanas by Tulsidas with her brothers, as well as Maithili folk songs dedicated to Lord Rama and Sita. She is also credited with promoting Madhubani art by integrating its themes into her performances.
A New Chapter in Alinagar
On October 14, 2025, Maithili Thakur formally stepped into the political arena by joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The party immediately placed its trust in her by awarding her a ticket to contest from the Alinagar Assembly constituency.
As of 3 PM on counting day, she had secured over 51,000 votes, establishing a commanding lead over her rivals, RJD’s Binod Mishra and Jan Suraj Party’s Biplaw Kumar Choudhary.
Speaking to ANI, an elated Thakur said, “This feels like a dream. People have placed so much trust in me. This will be my first term as an MLA, and I will do my best for the constituency. I will serve my people as their daughter. Right now, my focus is only on Alinagar and how I can work for them.”
Her victory is significant not only because of her age but also because it will mark the BJP's first-ever win in Alinagar—a Darbhanga seat with a significant Muslim population. The constituency has been a stronghold of the Mahagathbandhan (MGB) since 2008, with RJD’s Abdul Bari Siddiqui winning in 2010 and 2015, and VIP’s Mishri Lal Yadav securing victory in 2020.
Alinagar presents a diverse demographic mix, comprising:
- Upper-caste Brahmin residents
- A sizeable Muslim population
- Yadavs
- Extremely backward classes such as Mallahs and Paswans
Among her key promises for the constituency are introducing Mithila painting as an extracurricular activity in schools, renaming Alinagar as Sitanagar, and strengthening education for the girl child.
If the current trend holds, Maithili Thakur's journey from a child prodigy on reality TV to the youngest legislator in the Bihar Vidhan Sabha will be complete, writing a new and inspiring chapter in the state's political and cultural history.
