Folk singer and first-time Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Maithili Thakur is leading in the Alinagar constituency, according to early trends. Thakur entered politics only a month before the assembly elections, saying she wanted to “serve Bihar”.

Thakur says she is prepared to serve people

After exit polls forecast a strong victory for the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), the 25-year-old said she felt confident and ready for public service.

She told NDTV’s Editor-in-Chief Rahul Kanwal, "I don't think for even a second whether I will win or lose because I am so happy and satisfied with my 30-day journey. I have complete faith. I feel like I will be living here and serving the people, so I am mentally prepared for that."

A life-changing decision

Thakur described her entry into politics as a turning point. She said the election campaign taught her more than she ever expected.

Calling her decision the “best” of her life, she said, "I think this was the best decision of my life. And the way I have learnt in these 30 days by living among the people, I could not have learnt this from any book or any other source, and this one month has changed my entire life."

A desire to serve Bihar

Thakur has repeatedly stated that her aim is to contribute to the state’s culture and people. In an October interview with NDTV, she said she chose to stay in India for the same reason.

She said, "I have been doing this through my folk songs, and that is why I didn't want to go abroad." She added, "I want to carry forward the culture of my region, and if politics gives me this opportunity, nothing would be more important to me. I don't want to enter politics and do politics. I want to serve my region."

Inspired by PM Modi

Thakur was not interested in politics earlier. Her interest grew only after she began following Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
She said, "PM Modi is an inspiration to the youth. I am lucky to work under his leadership."