12 Names In BJP's 2nd Bihar List, Singer Maithili Thakur Fielded From Alinagar

Bihar's folk singer Maithili Thakur will contest the assembly election from Alinagar on a BJP ticket. Her name was among 12 candidates in the second list that the BJP released today.

The BJP fielded new candidates in nine out of the 12 assembly constituencies mentioned in this list.

Thakur's nomination marks a strategic move by the BJP to leverage her popularity among young people to bolster its appeal in the Mithilanchal region, where Alinagar has emerged as a key battleground seat.

"I am very impressed with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. I am here to serve society and contribute to the development of Bihar," Thakur said after her induction on Tuesday, expressing her intent to promote Maithili traditions through public service.

Other key candidates in the second list include former Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Anand Mishra, who will contest from Buxar; Virendra Kumar from Rosra, and Chhoti Kumari from Chhapra.

Two MLAs have got a chance to contest the election again. They are Hayaghat MLA Ramchandra Prasad and Rosera MLA Birendra Kumar.

The BJP has not given tickets to Gyanendra Singh Gyanu, its MLA from Barh, and two other MLAs - Chhapra MLA CN Gupta, and Gopalganj MLA Kusum Devi.

Ram Chandra Prasad will contest from Hayaghat, and Rakesh Ojha from Shahpur.

Alinagar, from where the folk singer will try her luck, saw a VIP contest in the last election. Kedar Nath Singh will contest from Baniapur, which also saw a VIP battle in the previous election.

The BJP's Mahesh Paswan will contest from Agiaon, from where a Janata Dal (United), or JD(U), candidate contested five years ago.

Apart from Thakur, Mishra, and Kumari, the other new candidates - including the nine fresh faces - are Ranjan Kumar, Subhash Singh, Kedarnath Singh, Siyaram Singh, Mahesh Paswan, and Rakesh Ojha.

A much higher number of new faces in the BJP's second list is likely aimed at countering Prashant Kishor's Jan Suraaj Party (JSP) strategy of fielding people from different walks of life, including retired people.