Bhubaneswar: The BJP’s decisive win in the Nuapada by-election in Odisha, the results of which were declared on Friday, transformed the much-anticipated triangular contest into a one-sided affair.
Jay Dholakia swept the bypoll by a margin of 83,748 votes against his Congress rival Ghasieam Majhi. He secured the highest vote share of 58.27% (1,23 869 votes) and Ghasiram 18.88% (40,121 votes) with BJD’s Snehangini Chhuria finishing third with 18.06% (38,408 votes). The rest of the 11 candidates forfeited their security deposits.
The BJP wrested the seat from BJD, which was thrice represented by Rajendra Dholakia whose untimely demise necessitated the bypoll. It also reflected the trust of the people of the constituency in the Dholakia family, despite Jay switching sides to BJP.
Top national and state leaders of BJP, on the other hand, hailed the victory as an endorsement of the party’s governance and policies. It is being also seen as a crucial validation of Chief Minister Mohan Majhi’s leadership 17 months into his tenure.
Meanwhile, celebration is undeway outside BJP state headquarters in Bhubaneswar.
Congratulatory messages
Taking to his X handle, CM Mohan Majhi termed the victory as a new chapter in Odisha’s political landscape. “This victory proves the complete faith and trust of the general public in our government’s policies, ideals, and people-welfare programmes,” he noted.
Majhi further stated that PM Narendra Modi’s leadership is the sole definition of development.
“Under his ideals and guidance, our government has been working tirelessly day and night for the welfare of Odisha’s residents and the state’s development in the past nearly one-and-a-half years. The support of Nuapada’s residents has given us new inspiration and strength,” he added.
Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan described the outcome as a triumph of democracy and thanked the people of Nuapada for their overwhelming support. He extended gratitude to Prime Minister Modi, BJP National President JP Nadda, Chief Minister Mohan Majhi, and state party president Manmohan Samal, stating that the win reaffirms the strong connection between the BJP and the people of Odisha.
Echoing similar sentiments, BJP National Vice President and Kendrapada MP Baijayant Panda said the ‘grand victory’ reflected people’s confidence in the double-engine government and its developmental vision. He congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Minister Mohan Majhi, state in-charge Vijaypal Singh Tomar, co-in-charge Lata Usendi, Odisha BJP president Manmohan Samal, and party workers for delivering a ‘resounding victory’.
BJP state president Manmoahn Samal thanked the people of Nuapada for choosing “development”. “Nuapada has several problems which could not be resolved by either the BJD or Congress. Therefore, people supported the BJP, which is committed to developing the area,” he told reporters.
In 2024 election, Rajendra Dholakia had defeated Ghasiram Majhi, who had then contested as an independent candidate, by a margin of 10,881 votes with BJP’s Abhinandan Panda finishing third.