Nuapada Bypoll: The battle that could redefine Odisha’s political order

By Mahendra Darjee

Bhubaneswar, Oct. 22: The Nuapada Assembly bypoll has become a defining test for Odisha’s three political powerhouses — the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and Congress. What began as a routine contest has turned into a referendum on leadership, loyalty, and legacy in western Odisha.

Once a stronghold of the BJD, Nuapada now reflects growing unrest within the party. The choice of Snehangini Chhuria, an outsider from Bargarh district, has angered local cadres. Over 50 sarpanchs, panchayat members, and several grassroots workers have defected to the BJP, joined by senior leader Lambodar Nial, a former BJD Lok Sabha candidate from Kalahandi.

For two decades, the BJD thrived on Naveen Patnaik’s charisma and organisational discipline. But after 2024, that aura appears to be fading. The same tactics of defection and disruption that once strengthened the BJD are now being used against it.

The BJP has capitalised on this churn with a well-calibrated campaign. Its biggest breakthrough came when Jay Dholakia — son of the late BJD MLA Rajendra Dholakia — joined the saffron camp. The move dealt an emotional and symbolic blow to the BJD. Backed by local heavyweights and an aggressive ground strategy, the BJP is determined to seize the seat.

Initially, the BJD sought to localise its campaign under senior leader Prasanna Acharya by forming district-level committees and excluding coastal figures. But growing unease forced it to deploy seasoned strategists. For Chhuria, the task remains uphill — her 2024 defeat by nearly 29,000 votes and her residence 160 km away from Nuapada have become key issues. The refrain, “Is there no leader from Nuapada?” echoes across the constituency.

The Congress, though weakened, seems more focused this time under PCC chief Bhakta Charan Das. With Ghasiram Majhi — who secured over 50,000 votes as a rebel in 2024 — back in the fold, the party hopes to consolidate anti-incumbency votes.

For both Naveen Patnaik and Chief Minister Mohan Majhi, the stakes are high. A BJD loss could further dent Naveen’s shrinking aura after recent setbacks, while a BJP victory would strengthen Majhi’s standing as Odisha’s emerging power centre.

As political observer Srirama Dash notes, “Nuapada is no ordinary bypoll. It will decide whether it becomes Naveen’s Waterloo or Majhi’s moment of triumph.”