Archive · 3 Nov 2025
Nuapada Bypoll: Test for Odisha CM and Patnaik's Legacy
A small election is happening in a part of Odisha called Nuapada.
This election is very important because it's the first time people are voting since a new leader from the BJP party became the chief minister.
It's also a chance to see if people still like the old Chief Minister's party, the BJD, after they lost the last big election.
A man who used to be in the BJD party is now running for the BJP, which has made things exciting.
The old Chief Minister, Naveen Patnaik, is even coming to campaign for his party.
Even though it's a small election, it could tell us a lot about how popular the leaders and their parties are right now.
The Congress party is also hoping to do well and get more people to support them.
The Nuapada Assembly bypoll on November 11 is a significant electoral test for Odisha's new BJP Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi.
The election will also gauge the continued popularity of former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and his BJD party following their defeat last year.
The race is intensified by the BJP candidate, Jay Dholakia, who recently switched from the BJD, whose father was a long-time local MLA.
Both the BJD and BJP are mobilizing top leaders, including Naveen Patnaik and multiple state cabinet ministers, with PM Modi having previously visited the region.
The Congress is also actively campaigning, bringing in leaders from other states, aiming to revive its electoral base in Odisha.
- Who
- BJP (led by CM Mohan Charan Majhi, PM Narendra Modi, state leaders), BJD (led by Naveen Patnaik, spokesperson Lenin Mohanty, former minister Preeti Ranjan Ghadai), Congress (led by OPCC president Bhakta Charan Das, Telangana CM Revanth Reddy, leader Prasad Harichandan), Jay Dholakia (BJP candidate), Snehangini Chhuria (BJD candidate), Ghasiram Majhi (Congress candidate).
- What
- A high-stakes byelection in the Nuapada Assembly segment, serving as an early electoral test for the new BJP Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and a gauge of the BJD's popularity after their previous defeat.
- When
- Voting on November 11, with campaigning underway and key events like Naveen Patnaik's public meeting on Monday and roadshow on November 7, and Telangana CM Revanth Reddy's campaign on November 7.
- Where
- Nuapada Assembly segment in western Odisha.
- Why
- The bypoll was necessitated by the death of four-time local BJD MLA Rajendra Dholakia. The outcome is seen as crucial for the BJP government's standing, the BJD's future after losing power, and the Congress's efforts to revive its base in the state.
BJD's Perspective
BJP's Perspective
Significance of Bypoll Outcome
BJD's Perspective
The BJD, led by Naveen Patnaik, sees the bypoll as a crucial test of their party's enduring popularity and ability to connect with voters after their significant defeat in the last general election.
BJP's Perspective
The BJP views the bypoll as an essential opportunity for Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi to prove his leadership and popularity early in his term, with the party aiming to consolidate its position.
Candidate Switching and Nomination
BJD's Perspective
The BJD was reportedly shell-shocked and struggled to find a local candidate after Jay Dholakia switched to the BJP, ultimately nominating Snehangini Chhuria.
BJP's Perspective
The BJP has actively recruited Jay Dholakia, leveraging his local connections through his father's long tenure as a BJD MLA, signaling a strategic move to capture the constituency.
Campaign Strategy
BJD's Perspective
Naveen Patnaik is personally leading the campaign for the BJD, making public appearances to rally support and counter the ruling party's influence.
BJP's Perspective
The BJP has mobilized all its state cabinet ministers and instructed leaders to remain in the constituency, with initial campaign momentum boosted by Prime Minister Modi's visit.
- Location
- Nuapada Assembly segment, western Odisha
- Bypoll Date
- November 11
- BJP Candidate
- Jay Dholakia (switched from BJD)
- BJD Candidate
- Snehangini Chhuria (women's wing president, former minister)
- Congress Candidate
- Ghasiram Majhi
- Significance for CM Majhi
- First electoral test since taking office
- Significance for Naveen Patnaik
- Test of BJD's popularity after 2024 election loss
