Nuapada: Electioneering in Odisha’s Nuapada reached a fever pitch ahead of the November 11 Assembly by-election with Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi spearheading a high-voltage campaign for BJP candidate Jay Dholakia on Thursday.
Accompanied by top leaders of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Majhi led a high-energy in Komna block in the constituency in the afternoon.
The roadshow drew enthusiastic participation from party workers and residents as the rally wound through the main streets of the town.
Deputy CM Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, BJP state president Manmohan Samal, and Basanta Panda joined the event, thousands of party supporters and workers lining up on both sides of the road and cheering them.
As the roadshow passed through different localities, BJP candidate Jay Dholakia was seen waving at people who had gathered along the route.
Sources said the ruling party leaders are working aggressively to ensure strong turnout and support in Komna, which holds the highest voter concentration in the Assembly constituency.
All three major parties, BJP, BJD, and Congress, have set their eyes on the electorate in Komna block and two NACs under Nuapada constituency, where bypoll is being held following the demise of sitting BJD MLA Rajendra Dholakia.
In the previous election, BJD secured the highest votes here, while independent candidate Ghasiram Majhi, now Congress’s nominee, came second. His voter base remains influential.
This time, the dynamics have shifted. Jay Dholakia, son of late Rajendra Dholakia, is contesting on a BJP ticket, making vote predictions complex. BJD leaders are working to retain their traditional vote bank, especially after party chief Naveen Patnaik’s recent visit.
Naveen is scheduled to campaign again on November 7 with roadshows in Khariar Road and Nuapada NAC.
While BJD leaders have intensified preparations, over 40 BJP MLAs and eight ministers are camping in the constituency as the saffron party is leaving no stone unturned in its bid to capture the Assembly seat.
