The Central Election Committee of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) announced Jay Dholakia as its candidate for the Nuapada Assembly by-election in Odisha on Wednesday.
The Nuapada seat fell vacant following the death of Dholakia’s father and senior Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leader Rajendra Dholakia, on September 8.
Jay Dholakia was initially expected to contest the Nuapada by-poll on a BJD ticket, continuing his father’s legacy. However, in a significant political move, he joined the BJP on Saturday (November 11).
BJP sources, meanwhile, have confirmed that Dholakia will file his nomination on October 16. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Odisha BJP President Manmohan Samal, and other senior leaders are expected to be present.
ଭାରତୀୟ ଜନତା ପାର୍ଟି ସଂସଦୀୟ ବୋର୍ଡ ତରଫରୁ ଆଜି ନୂଆପଡା ବିଧାନସଭା ନିର୍ବାଚନ ପାଇଁ ପ୍ରାର୍ଥୀ ଭାବେ ଜୟ ଢୋଲକିଆଙ୍କ ନାମ ଘୋଷଣା କରାଯାଇଛି । ଦଳୀୟ ପ୍ରାର୍ଥୀ ଶ୍ରୀ ଜୟ ଢୋଲକିଆ ଆସନ୍ତାକାଲି ନାମାଙ୍କନ ପତ୍ର ଦାଖଲ କରିବେ । pic.twitter.com/14CsS5qQfn
— BJP Odisha (@BJP4Odisha) October 15, 2025
BJP MP Sujeet Kumar, speaking to media persons, stated on Tuesday that the party will organize a grand meeting in Nuapada on Thursday, anticipating the participation of over 40,000 BJP supporters and workers.
Kumar also noted that during a major joining programme that day, more than 2,000 workers from the opposition BJD and Congress are expected to defect and join the BJP. The MP expressed confidence that the BJP will secure a victory in the by-election by a margin exceeding 50,000 votes.
Political experts suggest the ruling BJP is determined to win this by-poll, as it is the first election since the party took power in the state.
The process of filing nominations for the Nuapada by-election began on Monday. Candidates can submit their nominations until October 20, which is the last date for filing.
The scrutiny of nominations will be conducted on October 22, while the candidates can withdraw their candidature by October 24.
The by-election for the Nuapada Assembly seat is scheduled to be held on November 11, while the counting of votes will take place on November 14.
The Congress party has nominated tribal leader Ghasiram Majhi as its candidate, while the BJD is yet to announce its nominee.
