Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Maithili Thakur, a folk singer, has pledged to rename her constituency, Alinagar, to Sitanagar if she is elected as an MLA. The 25-year-old made this commitment during her election campaign, stating, “Alinagar will become Sitanagar if I win the election from the seat.”
The push to rename locations associated with Muslim and Islamic heritage has been a notable strategy in Hindutva politics, aiming to reshape historical narratives through symbolic changes. Thakur’s remarks have drawn significant criticism, prompting her to clarify that the idea of renaming Alinagar originated from Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai. “It was not my idea. The suggestion came from Union Minister Nityanand Rai, who shared it with me during the filing of nomination in Darbhanga. I agreed with his suggestion as I thought the name should have its connection with Mithilanchal,” Thakur explained.
In the electoral contest, Thakur faces RJD candidate Vinod Mishra, in a constituency predominantly populated by Brahmins, Yadavs, and Muslims. Mishra criticized the name change, emphasizing that local residents prioritize jobs, employment, and development over symbolic alterations. “People are aware of the game plan of the BJP. A change of name will not serve any purpose,” he remarked.
In the prior 2020 Assembly elections, the Alinagar seat was allocated to the Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP), which was led by Mukesh Sahani. The candidate from VIP, Mishri Lal Yadav, secured victory but later joined the BJP following the VIP’s split from the NDA. He was subsequently disqualified due to a criminal conviction.
The post titled “Alinagar will become Sitanagar,” featuring remarks from BJP candidate Maithili Thakur and her response to the backlash, first appeared on Maktoob Media.
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