The upcoming by-election of the Nuapada Assembly constituency in Odisha has already started to heat up, with the quiet alleys of the town in the state's destitute western region buzzing with political activity. The by-election was necessitated by the demise of Rajendra Dholakia, a four-term MLA from Nuapada and ex-minister of the Planning and Convergence Department, Odisha. Dholakia, a renowned leader of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), had a deep connection with the people of the constituency and a long-term political legacy.
The election is the first in the state since the BJD's fall in the 2024 Legislative Assembly elections in Odisha, when the BJP wrested power from the regional satrap after 24 years of rule.
In a significant political turn, Rejendra Dholakia's son Jay Dholakia has joined the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and will contest the November bypoll from the BJP.
The other key contenders are BJD's Snehangini Chhuria and Ghasiram Majhi, representing the Indian National Congress (INC). The polling is scheduled for 11 November 2025 while counting of votes will occur on 14 November, and the entire election process will conclude on 16 November, per the Election Commission notification.
The election is being seen as a litmus test for the BJP's popularity in the state, months after former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik took over as the Leader of Opposition. Seemingly, Dholakia's defection has left the Opposition embarassed, with Patnaik recently accusing the BJP of forming the government with “stolen votes" during a campaign rally and also accusing it for 'candidate chori'.