Bhubaneswar, October 16:  BJP's Nuapada Assembly bypoll candidate, Jay Dholakia, confirmed on Thursday that he will file his nomination papers for the upcoming bypoll on October 18.

The BJP's Central Election Committee had announced Dholakia as its official candidate for the Nuapada bypoll on Wednesday, with plans for him to submit his nomination on Thursday. In a statement from his residence in Nuapada, Dholakia reiterated his intention to proceed with the filing of papers on the specified date.

Jay Dholakia, son of the late BJD MLA Rajendra Dholakia, had initially been expected to run as the BJD candidate for the by-election. However, he switched allegiances to the ruling BJP just last week, securing the party's nomination for the contest.

The bypoll has been necessitated by the untimely passing of his father, Rajendra Dholakia, on September 8. Voting for the Nuapada bypoll is scheduled for November 11.

Originally, a significant event was planned for Dholakia’s nomination filing, with senior political leaders such as Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Deputy Chief Minister KV Singh Deo, and BJP State President Manmohan Samal expected to attend. However, Dholakia clarified that these leaders would instead participate in the "Misran Parv" (joining ceremony), which is expected to draw a crowd of around 10,000 attendees.

Meanwhile, Congress candidate Ghasiram Majhi had filed nomination papers on Wednesday. The BJD, which has nominated senior leader Snehangini Chhuria for the Nuapada bypoll, has yet to announce a specific date for her nomination submission.

The filing of nominations will continue until October 20, sources confirmed.