Bhubaneswar: The high-voltage campaign for the high-stakes by-election to the Nuapada Assembly constituency in Odisha will conclude at 4 pm on Sunday in accordance with the mandatory 48-hour silence period.
Polling in the Assembly constituency will be held on November 11 with counting of votes on November 14.
Earlier, Odisha Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) R S Gopalan urged all stakeholders to maintain complete restraint, both offline as well as online, and avoid involving in any active electioneering during these 48 hours, starting from evening of November 9 to ensure a calm and reflective atmosphere for voters.
District Election Officer (DEO) and Superintendent of Police have been instructed to ensure that all political functionaries and party workers from outside Nuapada constituency leave the area after the end of campaigning. “Conduct checks at community halls, kalyan mandaps and similar facilities to ensure no outsiders are staying there and set up border check-posts to monitor movement of vehicles from outside the constituency,” the CEO told the SP and DEO of Nuapada.
The district authorities have been directed to verify the identity of individuals to ensure they are genuine voters of the constituency. “Exemption on medical grounds will only be allowed after verification by a medical board constituted by the DEO in consultation with the CEO, and following approval of the Election Commission, he said. Even then, the individual must stay under video surveillance and refrain from political activities.”
While holding, attending, or addressing public meetings, rallies, or processions during this period is a strict no, the CEO has also barred the publication of political advertisements in print media on polling day or the preceding day unless pre-certified by the Media Certification and Monitoring Committee (MCMC).
THE CAMPAIGNING SO FAR…
On Saturday, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi led the BJP’s last leg of campaigning in a direct face-off with the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), setting the stage for a high-voltage triangular contest. Majhi made a historic visit to Sunabeda, nestled within the wildlife sanctuary, becoming the first CM to set foot in the village earlier considered a Maoist stronghold, before taking part in a roadshow, which commenced in the afternoon and continued until the evening, culminating in a massive gathering.
Introducing BJP candidate Jay Dholakia as the “suputra of Rajubhai”, the CM outlined his vision of a “Triple Engine” government, linking the BJP at the Centre, in the State, and at the constituency level, which, he said, would further accelerate development work in Nuapada. He also urged voters to assess candidates based on long-term commitment.
Taking a swipe at BJD president Naveen Patnaik, Majhi remarked that the opposition leader came to Nuapada in a massive campaign bus yet no one accompanied him. “Even the BJD candidate followed behind in another vehicle. That, in itself, shows the difference in leadership ideology,” he said.
“People of Odisha had trusted the BJD with the state’s progress for 24 years, expecting development of tribals, dalits, women, and youths. But these aspirations were never addressed by the BJD president,” he added.
He had earlier accused Naveen of “betraying” the trust of the people of Nuapada and neglecting party’s sitting Nuapada MLA Rajendra Dholakia during his illness.
The BJP has also weaponized Chhuria’s “outsider” image, turning it into a rallying cry. Its campaign slogan — “Hamare area mein jiska nahi Aadhaar card, uski yahan parchi fad” (“Tear up the voter slip of anyone who doesn’t belong to Nuapada”) — is seen as an attempt to strike a chord among the voters.
This came a day after the BJD supremo held a road show in Nuapada, urging people to vote for the BJD, which he said had served them faithfully for 24 years. He also accused the BJP of thriving on false promises. ““Development does not take place through false propaganda. A government cannot be run on lies and false promises,” he told the gathering at Parakot field after a 15km road show.
He travelled atop his campaign bus, accompanied by another vehicle carrying Chhuria and senior party leaders.
Earlier on November 3, Naveen’s “Beiman” and “Betrayal” barbs at Komna rally had reshaped the Nuapada by-election narrative. He had accused the BJP of “vote chori’ to form the government and poaching candidates, referring to Jay Dholakia who defected to BJP. “This is a betrayal of the people, of the Biju Janata Dal, and of me personally,” he declared, urging voters to deliver a fitting reply on November 11.
Continuing his tirade against the ruling BJP, the BJD president on November 7 said: “They (BJP) can steal votes and candidates, but cannot steal the hearts of the people.”
He further doubled down on this claim, alleging that development had stalled under the BJP and that people were facing problems with Ayushman Bharat cards compared to the BJD’s Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana scheme. “What did you get? Only dhoka…dhoka and double dhoka (betrayal…betrayal and double betrayal),” he added.
In a massive public meeting at Sahipala, the Congress, on the other hand, urged people to unite against ‘anti-people politics’ of the BJP. The grand old party has also promised to promote agri-based industries, improve farming, revive small-scale industries, and enhance MGNREGS in its manifesto.
Ghasiram Majhi is the Congress candidate from the seat. An old hand with his own support base, Majhi had finished second behind Rajendra Dholakia in the 2024 polls, securing more than 50,000 votes.
The outcome of the November 11 by-election, the first since last year’s general elections, is expected to set the tone for future political battles in Odisha.