In a resounding display of unity and resilience, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) marked a historic victory in the Nuapada by-election, crediting the unwavering dedication of its grassroots workers.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi hailed the win as a testament to collective effort, declaring, “We fought together and achieved a historic victory.” Speaking at a Thanksgiving meeting for party workers here, Majhi emphasised that the triumph was fueled by the “tireless efforts of our party’s rare and devoted karyakartas,” which propelled the BJP to a massive mandate.
Reflecting on the journey, Majhi recalled the lessons from past defeats. “On polling day, we had no agents at any booth. We learned from that failure, conducted a thorough review, and today we stand victorious,” he said. The by-election saw the BJP candidate, Jay Dholakia, secure a record-breaking victory margin amid unprecedented voter turnout. Nuapada residents, in a decisive rebuke to rivals, turned out in droves, dubbing their response “Operation Nuapada”—a parallel to the party’s bold “Operation Sindoor.”
Opposition parties, including the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and Congress, mounted fierce attacks laced with misinformation and accusations of “vote theft” and “rigging,” Majhi noted. “They spread lies out of fear of impending defeat, but the people of Nuapada gave them a fitting reply.” The victory has dramatically shifted Odisha’s political landscape, elevating the BJP from third place in the previous general election to a dominant first with record votes.
Majhi vowed personal responsibility for Nuapada’s growth, promising accelerated implementation of announced projects from irrigation to industrial setups. “We’ll prepare a list of local issues in every area and resolve them swiftly. I’ll soon visit Nuapada to thank the residents personally,” he added, assuring that new MLA Dholakia would fulfil the people’s aspirations.
State BJP President Manmohan Samal echoed the sentiment, attributing the “big win” to workers’ confidence and meticulous strategy. “Elections are like wars; we needed the right battle plan, which our karyakartas executed flawlessly,” Samal said. The campaign was a masterclass in organisation: Starting with five parliamentary segments, responsibilities cascaded from state-level leaders to panchayat workers. Ministers handled mandals, MLAs oversaw panchayats, and external leaders boosted local morale. “From the state to the grassroots, everyone performed their duties impeccably. The Chief Minister’s popular leadership ensured our government’s achievements reached every doorstep, earning the trust of Nuapada’s people.”
Samal extended internal thanks to all ministers, MLAs, MPs, senior leaders, and morcha-prakosth office-bearers, while highlighting cross-border support. “Nuapada’s proximity to Chhattisgarh made their BJP workers’ role crucial. We owe endless gratitude to Chhattisgarh’s honourable Chief Minister, Deputy CM, ministers, and leaders.” State in-charge Vijay Pal Singh Tomar joined in, lauding the “tireless labours” of karyakartas and congratulating Nuapada residents for aligning with the “double-engine government.”
The event drew a galaxy of BJP stalwarts, including Ministers Prithviraj Harichandan, Sampad Swain, Gokulananda Mallik, and Pradeep Balsamant; government chief whip Saroj Pradhan; Rajya Sabha MP Sujit Kumar; Kalahandi MP Malavika Devi; state general secretary Biranchi Narayan Tripathy; and numerous MPs, MLAs, district-level officials, and morcha workers.
In a sharp jab at the Congress, Majhi mocked their post-poll blame game. Congress State President Bhakta Das vowed action against “Vibhishans” (traitors) in their ranks, prompting Majhi’s retort: “If they do that, with 70% Vibhishans in Congress, the party will be wiped clean.” As celebrations continue, the BJP eyes this win as a harbinger of broader electoral dominance in Odisha.
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