Confusion Among Voters as Nuapada Bypoll Turns into Triangular Contest

Salebhata Villagers Recall Late Leader Dholkia’s Legacy

In Salebhata village under Nuapada NAC, a group of elderly men sat outside Amar Sahu’s veranda, watching a Biju Janata Dal (BJD) rally march past—its workers chanting, “BJD Zindabad, vote for the Conch symbol!”

“Dholkia was a different person. No one in our area can match him in social work,” said Amar, now in his eighties. “All the votes from my family went to him in the last election. But this time, we are not sure whom to vote for.”

A woman nearby echoed the sentiment. “He was like a god to us—always standing by the poor and the helpless. ‘Niputri ra putra, Nirdhani ra dhan, Nirbali ra bal’—that’s what we called him,” she said, reflecting on the late leader’s deep connection with the people.

The confusion among the elderly voters, they explained, stems from the absence of a strong, trusted candidate this time. “Dholkia truly stood by the poor—he helped people get into welfare schemes, spent lakhs on community marriages, and even arranged medical treatment and eye operations,” they recalled.

Support Divided Between Jay Dholkia and Other Contenders

An elderly villager, speaking softly, said, “Say what you will, but Jay will do better than the rest.”

Similar mixed opinions resonate in nearby Sunabeda village. A local BJP worker admitted that BJP never did well in Sunabeda and Soseng areas—the voters there always supported BJD. Tuna Chhatria of Sunabeda panchayat added, “Yes, we supported BJD—but only because of Raju Dholkia. We haven’t decided this time.”

In the 2024 Assembly election, Raju Dholkia had secured over 60,000 votes. Whether his son Jay can retain that support remains the big question. “Not all, but at least 30,000 will stay with him,” said a BJP supporter confidently. “And with BJP’s core vote bank added, his winning chances are higher than others.”

Congress Eyes Tribal-Dalit Consolidation

Both Congress and BJD, however, express equal optimism. The Congress claims a consolidation of tribal and Dalit votes, while the BJD banks on Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s enduring popularity.

Congress President Bhakta Charan Das said the party enjoys a “pocket share” of nearly 30,000 Dalit votes. “BJD fielded a Dalit candidate only to eat into our base—it’s clearly a ploy to help BJP win,” he alleged. “People are watching such tactics closely, and Congress is sure to gain. Moreover, I have been physically present here since the beginning, so the votes I usually got in MP elections will now go to Ghasiram Majhi,” he added.

Das also stressed that Ghasiram’s tribal identity would play a crucial role. “In the 2024 Assembly election, Ghasiram secured 50,000 votes as an Independent because the tribals stood united behind him. Now, even though some tribal leaders have joined other parties, none of them are influential enough to pull away that support,” he said.

BJD Candidate Counters ‘Outsider’ Tag

Meanwhile, BJD candidate Snehangini Chhuria is putting up a spirited fight, impressing voters with her eloquence and accessible approach. Countering claims that she is an outsider, she tells voters during her campaign, “I will stay here among you to serve you.”

BJD workers also sound confident. “It’s going to be a triangular fight. We shouldn’t underestimate BJD—the massive turnout at Naveen Babu’s meeting shows his popularity,” said a party functionary.

Jay Dholkia’s Emotional Appeal and BJP’s ‘Triple Engine’ Pitch

Jay Dholkia, the BJP candidate and son of late Raju Dholkia, is trying to quell doubts over his defection from BJD. “When my father was hospitalized, neither Naveen nor anyone from BJD came to see him. He stayed loyal to BJD till his end, but they didn’t even ask about his health. That hurt me deeply, and that’s when I decided to quit,” Jay told voters at one of his rallies.

BJP leaders, meanwhile, are banking on what they call a “triple engine” advantage—referring to the party’s presence at the Centre, its growing strength in the State, and a potential win in Nuapada. The party has also intensified its outreach through caste-based mobilization, with local leaders openly discussing their community’s vote share.

A Crucial Battle That Could Redefine Local Politics

With all three major parties—BJP, BJD, and Congress—staking strong claims, the Nuapada bypoll is shaping up to be a high-stakes triangular battle. Beyond just the numbers, this election will test emotional loyalties, local leadership strength, and caste arithmetic.

As campaigning reaches its final phase, one thing is clear—the outcome of the Nuapada bypoll will not only determine the fate of three candidates but could also reshape the region’s political equations long after the votes are counted.