The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has officially announced Snehangini Chhuria, a former minister and president of the Biju Mahila Janata Dal, as its candidate for the Nuapada Assembly by-election.
The decision was revealed by party supremo and former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik following a series of crucial meetings at Naveen Niwas.
The deliberations unfolded over Wednesday in multiple stages, involving senior party leaders. Attendees included Pranab Prakash Das, Tukuni Sahu, and Snehangini Chhuria herself. Discussions also incorporated inputs from other aspirants such as Manoj Mishra, Bhanupratap Majhi, and Abani Joshi. After thorough consultations, the party leadership zeroed in on Chhuria as the nominee.
Speaking to the media, Naveen Patnaik praised Chhuria’s credentials, stating, “As a steadfast leader from Western Odisha, Snehangini has always fought for the people of the region. She served as a minister during the BJD government, shouldering vital responsibilities in the cabinet. She is an invaluable asset to the party. We have decided that she will be BJD’s candidate for the Nuapada by-election.” He highlighted her extensive contributions to the state and assured full party support for her campaign. Patnaik also revealed his personal commitment, saying he would visit Nuapada to bolster her efforts.
Following the announcement, the BJD’s Nuapada district president welcomed the decision and pledged unified support, emphasising, “We will fight together.” Similarly, party general secretary and another aspirant, Manoj Mishra, extended his backing to Chhuria.
In her response, Chhuria expressed profound gratitude to Naveen Patnaik for reposing faith in her. “I am deeply thankful from the bottom of my heart. I have worked for the party, for Nuapada, and for the people of the state. As an observer in Nuapada for four years, I have served selflessly. I seek the blessings of the people of Nuapada for this election and am confident they will ensure my victory. I pledge to serve the residents of Nuapada until my last breath.” Framing the by-election as a “battle of righteousness and justice,” she asserted that “unrighteousness will be defeated.”
Chhuria, a two-time winner from the Aattabira constituency in Bargarh district in 2014 and 2019, held portfolios including Handlooms and Textiles and Handicrafts in Naveen Patnaik’s cabinet. In the 2024 elections, she secured 70,577 votes but lost to BJP’s Nihar Mahanand by 28,910 votes.
