Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate and folk singer Maithili Thakur has “promised” the people of her constituency, Alinagar in Bihar, that she would rename it Sitanagar if elected as MLA.
“Alinagar will become Sitanagar if I win the election from the seat,” said the 25-year-old BJP candidate during her election campaign.
The campaign to rename places linked to Muslim and Islamic history has long been a recurring theme in Hindutva politics. From changing city names to erasing markers of shared heritage, such moves are part of a broader ideological project of Hindutva that seeks to rewrite history through symbolism.
After facing widespread criticism and backlash for her remarks, Maithili attempted to clarify her statement, saying the idea of renaming Alinagar was originally proposed by Union Minister of State for Home and senior BJP leader 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,” Maithili said.
Maithili Thakur is contesting against RJD’s Vinod Mishra in a constituency demographically dominated by Brahmins, Yadavs, and Muslims.
“People are aware of the game plan of the BJP. A change of name will not serve any purpose. People want jobs, employment, and development,” said RJD candidate Vinod Mishra.
In the 2020 Assembly election, the Alinagar seat was allotted to the Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) led by Mukesh Sahani. VIP candidate Mishri Lal Yadav won the seat but later joined the BJP after the VIP parted ways with the NDA. He was subsequently disqualified after being convicted in a criminal case.
 candidate and folk singer Maithili Thakur has “promised” the people of her constituency, Alinagar in Bihar, that she would rename it Sitanagar if elected as MLA.){kind=link}