In a strategic move to bolster its campaign machinery ahead of the high-stakes bye-election in Odisha’s 71-Nuapada Assembly Constituency, the All India Congress Committee (AICC) has unveiled a formidable roster of 40 star campaigners.
The list, approved on Friday, features a blend of seasoned national leaders, regional heavyweights, and influential voices from across the country, signalling the party’s intent to mount an aggressive outreach in the tribal-dominated seat.
The bye-election in Nuapada, triggered by the resignation of the incumbent MLA, is seen as a litmus test for Congress’s revival in Odisha following its underwhelming performance in the 2024 assembly polls. With the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Biju Janata Dal (BJD) locking horns in a fierce triangular contest, Congress is banking on its star power to sway voters on issues like tribal welfare, rural development, and anti-incumbency against the ruling dispensation.
The campaigners will fan out across the constituency starting next week, holding rallies, corner meetings, and door-to-door canvassing to energise the party’s grassroots workers.
Congress Star Campaigners List for Nuapada Battle
| S.No | Campaigners |
|——|——————————|
- | 1 | Shri Ajay Kumar Lallu |
- | 2 | Shri Bhakta Charan Das |
- | 3 | Shri Ramachandra Kadam |
- | 4 | Shri Bhupesh Baghel |
- | 5 | Shri Sachin Pilot |
- | 6 | Shri Saptagiri Ulaka |
- | 7 | Shri A. Ravanth Reddy |
- | 8 | Shri Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka |
- | 9 | Dr. Giridhar Gomang |
- | 10 | Shri Kanhaiya Kumar |
- | 11 | Shri Niranjan Pattnaik |
- | 12 | Shri Jaydev Jena |
- | 13 | Shri Sarat Pattnayak |
- | 14 | Shri Prasad Harichandan |
- | 15 | Shri Srikanta Jena |
- | 16 | Shri Shahnawaz Choudhary |
- | 17 | Shri Kishore Patel |
- | 18 | Shri Narasingha Mishra |
- | 19 | Shri Tara Prasad Bahinipati |
- | 20 | Dr. C.S.Rajan Ekka |
- | 21 | Shri Santosh Singh Saluja |
- | 22 | Ms. Sasmita Behera |
- | 23 | Shri Dwarika Prasad Yadav |
- | 24 | Shri Janak Dhruw |
- | 25 | Shri Tamradhwaj Sahu |
- | 26 | Shri Jagannath Pattnaik |
- | 27 | Shri Shivkumar Dahariya |
- | 28 | Shri Suresh Kumar Routray |
- | 29 | Shri Sarat Rout |
- | 30 | ShriGuru Rudrakumar |
- | 31 | Shri Satyabhusan Sahu |
- | 32 | Shri Rama Chandra Khuntia |
- | 33 | Shri YNS Laguri |
- | 34 | Smt. Alka Lamba |
- | 35 | Shri Uday Bhanu Chib |
- | 36 | Shri Varun Choudhury |
- | 37 | Smt. Minakshi Bahinipati |
- | 38 | Shri Arabinda Das |
- | 39 | Shri Manoj Mishra |
- | 40 | Smt. Amita Biswall |
Notable inclusions like former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel and Rajasthan’s Sachin Pilot underscore the national heft. Odisha-specific leaders such as Niranjan Pattnaik, Srikanta Jena, and Narasingha Mishra are expected to anchor the local narrative.
As polling day approaches on November 20, all eyes are on whether this celebrity brigade can translate star appeal into votes in the 1.2 lakh-strong electorate. Political analysts predict a nail-biter, with Congress aiming to reclaim lost ground in the mineral-rich, Naxal-affected region.
Stay tuned for live updates on campaign trail highlights and voter sentiment analysis.
