The BJP’s victory in the Nuapada by-election through candidate Jay Dholakia is not just a win for the party but a resounding triumph for Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and BJP state president Manmohan Samal. In political parlance, this can be aptly described as the “Mohan-Manmohan duo’s checkmate.”
Since 2009, every election and by-election in Odisha has seen Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan taking a leading role in the BJP’s campaigns. However, the Nuapada by-election marked the first instance where Pradhan was absent, and Chief Minister Mohan Majhi stepped up to lead the charge. Majhi’s efforts yielded a major success, solidifying his position.
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The by-election occurred just 18 months after the BJP formed the government in Odisha, and it was held in a seat previously held by the BJD. Naturally, the BJD was expected to reclaim it, but Chief Minister Majhi wrested the seat away from them. With the support of state president Manmohan Samal, Majhi gifted this seat to the party under his leadership.
While the BJP did not contest the assembly elections under Majhi’s leadership, the Nuapada by-election was fought squarely under his guidance. This marks the first time the BJP defeated both the BJD and Congress in an election led by Majhi, adding one seat to the BJP’s tally while subtracting one from the BJD’s. In politics, this is no small achievement.
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Majhi treated the Nuapada by-election as a matter of personal prestige and dove into the campaign trail. Starting from the 11th-day rituals of the late MLA Rajendra Dholakia, he visited Nuapada around four times until the end of campaigning. Even before that, as Chief Minister, he had attended the Nuapada festival. His announcements of a special package for Nuapada, active campaigning, and strategic planning paved the way for victory.
Now, no one will question the Chief Minister’s popularity among the people. Doubts about his leadership in the government and party will vanish. As the central leadership celebrates the Bihar victory, the Nuapada win will add to their satisfaction. They are unlikely to overlook giving Majhi credit for this. Viewing all these equations, it’s clear that Chief Minister Mohan Majhi emerged as the ultimate strategist in the Nuapada by-election.
Naturally, factions loyal to various leaders exist within the party, and Odisha BJP is no exception. However, the Nuapada result has handed such a success to the Chief Minister and state president duo that other leaders’ supporters will now adopt a relatively softer stance. With Majhi leading the government and Samal at the helm of the party, there will be no further obstacles to progress.
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