BY PRASANTA KU. DASH

Bhubaneswar, Nov 8: While the state capital is now deficient of Cabinet Ministers, maybe for the ensuing Nuapada Bypoll, the district headquarters of the Nuapada is abuzz, for the reverberatory political campaigns.

Political parties, especially the ruling BJP, prime opposition BJD and Congress, even the independent ones those are on the fray, are continuing with their high-voltage shows, to pull the voters towards them.

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, who is considered as the chief brigrade of the Odisha BJP to canvass the efficiency of ‘Double Engine’ government before the Nuapada mass, is frequenting the ground. He is campaigning for the BJP nominee, Jay Dholakia, who debuted himself with the ruling establishment recently switching from the BJD.

Majhi during his first visit to the poll-bound Nuapada Assembly Constituency on November 6, canvassed for Dholakia through several public meetings and unprecedented roadshows.

Underlining the ‘Double Engine’ government’s double effect during the 15-month tenure of BJP government in the state, Majhi played the development cards of his cadre-based party. Meanwhile, he highlighted the ‘Viksit Bharat’ and ‘Purboday-Se- Sarboday’ vision of the PM, dreamt for carving out Odisha’s allround development.

On the other hand, the CM during his public address  came down heavily on the prime opposition namely the BJD, accounting for its sheer negligence to the Nuapada estate and its aboriginals, despite its 24-year long governance.

Similarly, the BJD is striving to win the battle fielding a veteran woman leader on the Nuapada ground, to beat the BJP candidate with phenomenal win.The regional party, originated & groomed by late Biju Patnaik, has nominated Snehangini Chhuria, a women icon belonging to the Western Odisha soil. With it, BJD supremo aimed to wooing women voters to the ace woman leader with her name & fame.

BJD President Naveen Patnaik embarked on his Nuapada poll campaign on Friday. He held roadshows in Nuapada district headquarters and in the Khariar ULB areas, to impress voters for inclining towards Chhuria. Meanwhile, he recalled the good governace of the BJD government during his chief ministership.He also underlined his resolve on forming the new Nuapada, aiming robust development in the cluster.

Besides, the national party Congress also continues with its day & night exercise to woo the tribal voters.While, the Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee officials are spending sleepless nights to win the tribal-dominant Nuapada constituency, the ground-level workers are doing their best to ring the bell on their win.

Apart from the politically affiliated ones, the independents are fielding their welfare fronts in the nearest societies to impress voters to vote for them.

Thus, with the political shows now prevalent in the Nuapada air ahead of the bypoll scheduled here on November 11, is seeing its climax. It’s why the three major parties, the ruling BJP and oppositions BJD & Congress have, heightened their stakes, to reach at their cherished goal in the Nuapada battle.

The CM has slated a day-long campaign today for his candidate while he is to chair a high-level meeting with his Cabinet colleagues, who are present on the playground to manage the influx in favour of the party nominee.

For the BJD, Nuapada bypoll means an acid test, as Jay Dholakia who was absolutely finalized as the BJD pick for the Nuapada Bypoll. However, he switched over to the BJP in the eleventh hour, wreaking political rows. As the party’s preparedness to face the electoral challenge is in the final round, almost all state leaderships are seen in the area, campaigning for Chhuria, hoping a significant defense of its stronghold.

As the scheduled ‘Silent Hours’ about to approach, that’s at best 12 rounds to clock from this midnight, stipulations relating the Model Code of Conduct will be strictly followed.

Ahead of the poll, the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) on Friday released a comprehensive advisory detailing strict restrictions to be observed during the 48-hour “silent period” leading up to the close of by-poll for the Nuapada Assembly constituency.

The by-election to the Nuapada seat is scheduled to be held on November 11.

The directive seeks to preserve the integrity of the electoral process and ensure that voting takes place in a free, fair, and peaceful manner. The CEO’s office underscored that all forms of campaigning and political activities must come to a halt during this period, allowing voters to make their decisions without external pressure or influence.

According to the advisory, political leaders and party workers from outside the constituency must leave the area immediately after campaigning ends. The District Election Officer and Superintendent of Police of Nuapada have been directed to inspect community halls, lodges, and guest houses for the presence of outsiders, verify guest records, and establish border check posts to monitor vehicle movement. Identity checks will be conducted to ensure that only local voters remain in the area.

Exceptions will be granted solely for medical emergencies, subject to verification by a District Medical Board and approval from the Election Commission of India. Such individuals will remain under video surveillance and will not be permitted to participate in any political activity.

Citing Section 126 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, the CEO’s office has earlier reiterated that public meetings, processions, or cultural programmes intended to influence voters are strictly prohibited during the silent period. Any violation of this provision may result in imprisonment of up to two years, a fine, or both.

The guidelines also cover media and digital communication platforms. No election-related content designed to influence voters may be aired on television, radio, or digital channels during the 48-hour restriction. Political advertisements in print media on the polling day and the day before are banned unless they receive prior approval from the Media Certification and Monitoring Committee (MCMC).

Furthermore, sharing or posting political messages, appeals, or campaign materials on social media platforms such as Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, WhatsApp, or YouTube during the silent period will be treated as an election law violation. Even private sharing of such content is discouraged, with citizens being urged to observe “digital silence” during this crucial time.