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Nuapada Bypoll
ଓଡ଼ିଆ | ENGLISH
Nuapada Bypoll
ଓଡ଼ିଆ | ENGLISH

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Published By : Debadas Pradhan | November 3, 2025 5:14 PM
cuo-organises-webinar-on-human-trafficking

Nuapada, November 3: BJD president and Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik on Monday launched a sharp attack on Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), accusing it of “stealing candidates” to contest elections.

The former Chief Minister made the statements, kicking off his Nuapada Assembly by-poll campaign in Komana.

“BJP had stolen votes to form the Government and is now stealing candidates. This is a betrayal of the people, of the Biju Janata Dal, and of me personally. The people of Nuapada will give a befitting reply to this betrayal on November 11," said the five-time former Chief Minister.

Patnaik's remarks were aimed at late BJD MLA Rajendra Dholakia’s son Jay Dholakia, who switched to the BJP ahead of the bypoll and is now contesting on a saffron party ticket.

Maintaining that the BJP dispensation in Odisha is not a game changer, but a name changer Government, Patnaik said, “Since the BJP came to power, development across Odisha has come to a standstill. This is a Government of slogans, not solutions.”

Patnaik was campaigning for party candidate Snehangini Chhuria in the Nuapada by-election. 

“Law and order have completely collapsed. Atrocities against women are at their peak. Mission Shakti mothers haven't received salaries for eight months. Farmers lack urea, elderly citizens are deprived of pensions, and BSKY benefits have been forgotten,” said Patnaik.

Paying rich tributes to former MLA Rajendra Dholakia and remembering his father Biju Patnaik’s role in creating Nuapada district, Patnaik said, "During the BJD Government, Nuapada witnessed rapid development - from the Biju Expressway to safe drinking water, irrigation to over 10,000 hectares, and various welfare schemes, including for Sunabeda Sanctuary residents.”

Nuapada will go to vote on November 11 and results will be declared in November 14. While BJP has fielded Jay Dholakia, the son of sitting BJD MLA Rajendra Dholakia for the by-poll. Ghasiram Majhi is contesting the election on Congress ticket.

The bypoll was necessitated following the death of Rajendra Dholakia on September 8.