The by-election in Nuapada, Odisha, is set to coincide with the Bihar assembly elections, as the Election Commission of India (ECI) has announced the deployment of central observers for Bihar and by-elections in eight states.
This includes Jammu-Kashmir, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Telangana, Punjab, Mizoram, and Odisha. A total of 470 central observers, comprising 320 IAS officers, 60 IPS officers, and IRS officials, will oversee the electoral process. These observers will remain under the ECI’s supervision, control, and discipline until the elections conclude.
The Nuapada seat fell vacant following the demise of MLA Rajendra Dholakia. This marks the first by-election in Odisha since the 2024 general elections. Although the official notification for the by-election is yet to be issued, political tensions in Nuapada have already escalated. The three major parties—BJP, BJD, and Congress—are engaged in a fierce tug-of-war, with each confidently asserting their victory.
BJP state president Manmohan Samal expressed optimism, stating that the people of Nuapada desire a BJP win. He highlighted the region’s underdevelopment in various sectors and promised resolutions under the BJP rule. “We are a national party. The parliamentary board will decide the candidate, but we are certain of victory and success,” Samal said.
On the other hand, PCC president Bhakta Charan Das dismissed the opposition’s chances, claiming Congress would secure the majority of votes previously held by the BJD after Dholakia’s passing. “We have 65,000 votes in our kitty, and it will only increase. Many people are aligned with us, and more will join soon,” Das asserted.
BJD MLA Pramila Mallik countered strongly, affirming that Nuapada has always been a BJD stronghold. “This by-election will see BJD winning by a huge margin. People know everything despite the rhetoric. They’ve grown to despise the BJP within one-and-a-half years. Our candidate will triumph overwhelmingly, regardless of who campaigns—even the Prime Minister,” Mallik said, taking a swipe at Congress by questioning if their claimed 65,000 votes were “stored in a box like Gramexine.”
The by-election poses a litmus test for the BJP, being the first since they formed the government in Odisha. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has taken a personal interest, attending Dholakia’s condolence meeting and declaring Nuapada as his responsibility while calling the late MLA a good friend.
This statement has further heated up district politics even before the official announcement. Speculations suggest the BJP might field Abhinandan Panda, son of senior leader Basant Panda. BJD aims to retain the seat by possibly nominating Jay Dholakia, the deceased MLA’s son, to leverage sympathy votes. Congress, which finished second in 2024, is likely to field Ghasi Ram Majhi to capitalise on their position.
As parties ramp up efforts, the by-election is not just about the seat but also about prestige for BJD and a validation for the ruling BJP.
