BJP's Maithili Thakur: "Mentally Ready to Serve Bihar People" as Exit Polls Predict NDA Victory

BJP candidate Maithili Thakur, in her first electoral contest, expressed to NDTV that she feels "mentally ready" to serve Bihar's citizens as exit polls indicate a significant victory for the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

Multiple exit polls including Chanakya Strategies, Dainik Bhaskar, DV Research, JVC, Matrize, P-Marq, People's Insight, Peoples Pulse, and TIF Research have projected an NDA win with seats ranging from 130 to 167. Meanwhile, they forecast the Mahagathbandhan alliance securing between 73 and 108 seats. However, it's worth noting that exit polls have often proven inaccurate in the past.

"I don't contemplate whether I'll win or lose even for a moment because I'm thoroughly happy and satisfied with my 30-day campaign journey. I have complete faith. I feel I'll be living here and serving people, so I'm mentally prepared for that," Maithili Thakur told NDTV's Editor-in-Chief Rahul Kanwal.

The 25-year-old renowned Maithili folk singer described her decision to contest the elections as the "best decision of my life."

"I believe this was the best decision I've ever made. The learning I've gained during these 30 days living among people couldn't have been obtained from any book or other source. This month has completely transformed my life," said Thakur, who is contesting from the Alinagar constituency in Darbhanga district.

Reflecting on her political journey, she added, "My political experience was zero. Within a month, I've learned that people's respect, affection, and love transcend everything else. I've learned how important it is to listen to people's problems first and discover ways to help them. Politics provides such a platform and power that allows you to address people's issues very effectively."

"Creating a personal manifesto for your constituency alongside the one provided by your party is essential. Learning how to deliver all those services and amenities to people while addressing flaws as you proceed—politics has given me that foresight," she explained.

Bihar, which voted in two phases, recorded a historically high voter turnout of 66.90 percent provisionally, which is 9.6 percentage points higher than the previous assembly elections, according to Chief Electoral Officer Vinod Singh Gunjiyal.

The 2020 assembly elections had recorded a 57.29 percent voter turnout.

Vote counting for all 243 assembly seats will take place on November 14.