The intense, high-pitched campaign for the Nuapada by-election in Odisha concluded on Sunday evening, following weeks of rallies and road shows led by senior political figures.
The bypoll, necessitated by the death of incumbent BJD MLA Rajendra Dholakia, marks the first electoral contest since the BJP formed the state government last year.
The campaign intensified after Dholakia’s son, Jay Dholakia, defected from the BJD to join the BJP on October 11, following his father’s 11th day memorial meeting. Late Rajendra Dhokalia was elected to the assembly on a BJD ticket in 2009, 2019 and 2024.
The constituency saw heavy political firepower, featuring campaigning by Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, his Chhattisgarh counter Vishnu Deo Sai, BJD President Naveen Patnaik, deputy chief ministers from Odisha and Chhattisgarh, Union minister Jual Oram and numerous other ministers, MPs, and MLAs from the two states campaigned in the seat.
The seat also saw road shows for the first time.
The main contest is between the BJP’s Jay Dholakia and the BJD’s Snehangini Chhuria, the BJD women’s wing chief who was fielded after Jay’s defection.
The Congress party fielded Ghasiram Majhi, a local tribal leader and the 2024 assembly runner-up (as an independent).
Campaign rhetoric focused on local versus outsider narratives, with CM Majhi calling Chhuria an “outsider” from Bargarh, and Patnaik using the term ‘beimani’ (betrayal) to attack the BJP candidate. Patnaik canvassed twice in Nuapada bypoll despite his weak health condition after spinal surgery.
A total of $2.53$ lakh voters are eligible to cast their ballots at 358 booths to decide the fate of 14 candidates on the day of polling on November 11.
