RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav (right) addresses the media after giving the party’s membership slip to singer and actor Khesari Lal Yadav and his wife Chanda, in Patna on October 16, 2025.
| Photo Credit: PTI
Bhojpuri film stars and other artists are adding a celebrity touch to the Assembly election in Bihar, turning it into a star-studded political contest. While the Opposition Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) has fielded popular actor Khesari Lal Yadav from Chhapra in Saran district, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has named folk singer Maithili Thakur as its candidate from Alinagar in Darbhanga district.
Popular Bhojpuri film personalities like Pawan Singh, Manoj Tiwari, Ravi Kishan, and Dinesh Lal Yadav ‘Nirahua’ also feature prominently in the BJP’s list of 40 star campaigners.
Mr. Khesari Lal Yadav, who hails from Saran district, joined the RJD along with his wife, Chanda, on Thursday night. Speaking to presspersons, the actor said he was seeking ticket for his wife, but found out that her name was missing from the voters’ list. It was then he decided to enter the fray himself. Mr. Yadav said he held RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav in high esteem.
“This nomination is dedicated to the development of Chhapra. Just like I am able to educate my children in a good school, people of this constituency should be able to do the same. There should be proper health facilities for people,” Mr. Yadav said after filing his nomination papers on Friday.
Singer Maithili Thakur joined the BJP earlier this week amid speculation that the party may field her from Benipatti in Madhubani district of north Bihar. She was instead named as the candidate from Alinagar. Ms Thakur filed her nomination papers on Friday after offering puja at a temple.
Addressing a public gathering, Ms. Thakur said, “I will ensure the development of my constituency in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s resolution of Viksit Bharat. With your (people’s) blessings, I will develop Alinagar into a model Assembly constituency, which will be discussed on the global forum.”
Earlier, another Bhojpuri film star Akshara Singh had met senior BJP leader and Union Minister Giriraj Singh amid rumours that she would contest the election. She had also met Jan Suraaj Party leader Prashant Kishor.
“I had come to seek his blessings,” Ms. Singh said after meeting the Union Minister.
Mr. Pawan Singh, who features among the BJP’s star campaigners, contested the 2024 Lok Sabha election as an Independent from Karakat and emerged runner-up. He recently joined the BJP and the buzz was that he may be fielded from Ara in Bhojpur district. However, he announced that he was not contesting the polls.
(With PTI inputs)
Published – October 17, 2025 11:10 pm IST
