Nuapada, Nov 4: Tensions have escalated ahead of the Nuapada Assembly bypoll as Kalpana Dholakia, wife of late BJD leader Rajendra Dholakia, has made serious allegations against the Biju Janata Dal (BJD). She accused the party of neglecting her husband during his final days and failing to give him the respect he deserved after over two decades of service.

“He (Rajendra Dholakia) worked for the BJD for 24 years, but the party never gave him the respect he earned through his dedication. Even in the final days of his life, the party did not stand by him. During his illness, no one tried to understand what he was going through. This deeply hurt him, emotionally. This neglect by the BJD is one of the reasons that broke him, ultimately leading to his demise,” said Kalpana Dholakia.

Earlier, Jay Dholakia, the late leader’s son and BJP’s candidate for the upcoming bypoll, launched a sharp attack on former Chief Minister and BJD president Naveen Patnaik.

Jay accused Patnaik of visiting the district only for political gain and not out of genuine concern for the people or his late father.

“I always respected Naveen Patnaik like a father figure. He shared a close relationship with my father, yet when my father was battling for his life in the hospital, he never came to see him,” said Jay Dholakia.

Jay further alleged that despite his father’s decades of service to the BJD, party leaders did not even attend his last rites.

“My father gave his 100 percent to the BJD, but the party could not return even one percent of that loyalty. Now, just a month after his death, with the election nearing, they are rushing to Nuapada for campaigning,” he added.

The response of Dholakia family came after Naveen accused the BJP of “stealing candidates” to contest elections.

Addressing a public meeting in Komana block on Monday, Naveen Patnaik attacked the BJP government in the state and accused the saffron party of stealing candidates to contest elections.

The bypoll, which was necessitated due to the death of Rajendra Dholakia, is scheduled to be held on November 11.