India, Nov. 14 -- Early counting from Bihar shows folk singer and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) nominee Maithili Thakur holding a lead in the Alinagar seat. The 25-year-old, who joined the BJP only weeks before the polls, has said she entered politics with the broad aim of "serving Bihar."

Here are five facts to know about the singer ahead of her potential first term as an MLA.

Track live updates on key candidates in Bihar Assembly polls here

Thakur's education did not follow a conventional route. She was homeschooled through her early years, until class 5, before moving to an MCD school when she was around 12 or 13, according to a Times of India report.

Her singing ability was noticed early. On the basis of that talent, she received a...