The Congress party has taken its first decisive step toward reclaiming the Nuapada Assembly seat by announcing the candidature of Ghasiram Majhi. His nomination, confirmed by the All India Congress Committee (AICC) on Tuesday, has infused fresh enthusiasm among party workers across the region. The by-election, scheduled for November 11, 2025, follows the demise of Rajendra Dholakia, the sitting BJD MLA.
Consensus Choice Backed by PCC Leadership
At a meeting of the Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) chaired by Bhakta Charan Das, Majhi—who also serves as the President of the Nuapada District Congress Committee—was chosen as the party’s candidate with full consensus. The PCC’s decision came after a detailed session on Monday, recognizing Majhi’s organizational strength and grassroots connection in the region.
Although Majhi has contested the Nuapada seat three times earlier—once as an Independent in 2024 and twice as a Congress nominee in 2014 and 2019, finishing second with 50,941 votes—he has yet to taste victory. Still, PCC president Bhakta Charan Das exudes confidence, citing a solid Congress vote base of over 65,000 in the constituency.
Early Campaign Momentum for Congress
The Congress has already launched its campaign in full swing. Bhakta Charan Das, who is also the MP from Kalahandi, under which the Nuapada constituency falls, led a four-day rally in the district, signalling a spirited start to the election season. This proactive approach is expected to put both BJD and BJP on the defensive, as neither has declared its candidate yet, leaving them behind in the initial phase of campaigning.
A Fierce Political Battle Ahead
The upcoming Nuapada by-election promises to be one of the most gripping contests in Odisha’s political landscape. As tensions rise and electoral strategies unfold, Ghasiram Majhi’s nomination has galvanized Congress supporters, setting the stage for a high-stakes triangular fight. With Congress entering the race early and leveraging its local network, the battle for Nuapada is poised to be both strategic and intense.