“I Am a North Indian Marathi”: Bihar’s Daughter Makes a Big Impact in Mumbai, Six from Jhanjharpur Elected as Corporators

Patna/Mumbai: The Maharashtra civic body elections have delivered historic results, with the ruling Mahayuti alliance registering a sweeping victory by capturing 25 out of 29 municipal corporations across the state. The most striking outcome came from Mumbai, where the Bharatiya Janata Party–led alliance secured a majority in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), ending the decades-long dominance of the Thackeray family after 25 years.

Amid this political shift, the influence of Bihar-born folk singer and BJP MLA Maithili Thakur emerged as a significant factor, particularly among Hindi-speaking voters. Her energetic and culturally nuanced campaign played a key role in mobilizing support for the Mahayuti alliance. The impact was so pronounced that six individuals from Bihar’s Jhanjharpur region were elected as corporators in Mumbai alone, highlighting the growing political participation and acceptance of migrants in the city’s civic politics.

Maithili Thakur’s Campaign Resonates Across Communities

During the BMC election campaign, Maithili Thakur was projected as a star campaigner by the Mahayuti to counter the joint strategy of Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and MNS leader Raj Thackeray, who attempted to revive the “Marathi pride” narrative. Thakur’s campaign, however, offered a cultural counter-narrative—one of inclusion and unity.

From Mumbai’s narrow lanes to large public rallies and social media platforms, Maithili Thakur connected with voters through her multilingual performances and speeches. She sang Hindi and Maithili songs to connect with North Indian voters, while her flawless Marathi performances won the hearts of local Marathi-speaking citizens. Addressing a massive rally in Virar, she described herself as a “North Indian Marathi,” a phrase that struck a chord with diverse sections of society.

Cultural Unity Over Identity Politics

Political observers note that North Indian voters often play a decisive role in BMC elections. While the Thackeray brothers emphasized “Marathi asmita” (Marathi identity), the Mahayuti alliance projected Mumbai as a city belonging to everyone. Through Maithili Thakur, the alliance conveyed a message of linguistic harmony and cultural nationalism, reinforcing the idea that development and unity must go hand in hand.

Maithili openly appealed to voters to support the Mahayuti by voting for the ‘lotus’ symbol, asserting that the alliance alone could ensure Mumbai’s all-round development. She also linked her appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a “Viksit Bharat,” stating that she would contribute in every possible way to realize that dream.

A New Political Signal

The election results suggest that Maithili Thakur’s mission in Mumbai has been largely successful. Her role as a cultural bridge between North Indian migrants and local Marathi voters appears to have weakened identity-based polarization. With Mumbai’s chapter seemingly complete, political circles are abuzz with speculation that Maithili Thakur may now be deployed by the party in other regions, including West Bengal.

The BMC results underline a broader political message: Mumbai has once again proven that it belongs to everyone—irrespective of language, region, or origin.