Bihar will vote in two phases on 6 and 11 November, with results due on 14 November. The schedule was issued by the Election Commission on 6 October.
Observers note that Alinagar is a key battleground. The sitting MLA, Mishri Lal Yadav—initially elected on a VIP ticket in 2020—had defected to the NDA but was later disqualified after a two-year prison sentence. The BJP, which has held Alinagar twice, is reportedly weighing replacement of Yadav to manage internal dissent and voter dissatisfaction.
Thakur is a native of Benipatti in the Darbhanga area and is roughly 25 years old. Her thrust into public life is not entirely uncharted: she had been appointed a “state icon” by the Election Commission to promote voter awareness in Bihar and served as Madhubani district’s brand ambassador during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
Her meetings with senior party leaders fuel the impression of BJP’s strategic outreach. Vinod Tawde shared her image in a post alongside Nityanand Rai— an act that political insiders interpret as more than mere optics. Party sources say discussions are underway about which seat to field her from—either Alinagar or Benipatti—with Alinagar gaining momentum due to its strategic importance in the Darbhanga region.
Thakur, when questioned, has expressed interest in public service, describing her background and cultural influence as instruments to serve her home region. She has not formally declared candidacy or joined BJP publicly, keeping her position ambiguous.
Political analysts see multiple dimensions in the potential move. First, the BJP may seek to refresh candidate profiles to reconnect with younger voters. Second, in the Mithilanchal region—where linguistic and cultural pride resonates—Thakur’s folk music credentials could help bridge identity politics and broad-based elector appeal. Third, if the party indeed avoids contesting with a controversial incumbent in Alinagar, her candidature may help neutralise anti-incumbency sentiments.
Yet challenges loom. Local BJP cadres may resist imposition of an outsider, especially a figure without prior political experience or grassroots organisation. Rival parties like RJD, Congress, and the Mahagathbandhan are likely to mobilise aggressively in Darbhanga, questioning whether celebrity status can substitute political traction. Moreover, Thakur will need to assemble campaign machinery quickly in a compressed timeframe.