Bihar election 2025: How Bhojpuri artist candidates are performing as per early trends

(L-R) Maithili Thakur, Jyoti Singh (wife of Pawan Singh), Khesari Lal Yadav.

As vote counting continued on Friday, Bhojpuri artists in the political fray witnessed sharply different trends across their constituencies, according to early figures available on the Election Commission of India.

Maithili Thakur 

In Alinagar, singer Maithili Thakur, contesting her first election on a BJP ticket, maintained a steady lead. According to the early trends, she crossed 42,840 votes, in is ahead of RJD’s Binod Mishra by more than 8,991 votes. Earlier rounds also showed her widening the gap, signalling a strong debut performance.

Thakur sounded confident and emotional as early trends showed her leading in Alinagar and the NDA heading towards a comfortable victory.

“I’m feeling really good. I never doubted the result would turn out this way,” she said, thanking voters for the overwhelming support. “The love people have shown me and my party is heartwarming. I’ve always seen the people here as family, not just voters.”

Thakur, 25, added that she intends to live up to the faith placed in her. “I’m a daughter of this soil, and I’ll be there for everyone over the next five years. I’m young, but I will prove myself in the days ahead.”

Khesari Lal Yadav

In Chapra, RJD candidate and Bhojpuri star Khesari Lal Yadav (also known as Shatrughan Yadav) was trailing.
BJP’s Chhoti Kumari held the advantage through the first several rounds, leading by roughly 3,000 votes at one point.

Jyoti Singh (wife of Pawan Singh)

In Karakat, Jyoti Singh, wife of popular Bhojpuri singer-actor Pawan Singh, contested as an Independent candidate.

Jyoti Singh remains in third position with 7344 votes. CPI(ML)(L)’s Arun is leading the Assembly constituency with 26,503 votes.

Pawan Singh himself had earlier clarified he would not be contesting the 2025 polls, calling himself a “sipahi of the BJP”. Early trends showed Jyoti Singh in the race, but not among the frontrunners, as the initial rounds were counted.