In a dramatic prelude to the upcoming Nuapada Assembly by-election, a major political realignment unfolded in Odisha on Friday as Jay Dholakia, son of late BJD MLA Rajendra Dholakia, joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). His formal induction at the state BJP headquarters has effectively ended weeks of speculation surrounding the party’s likely candidate for the bypoll.
The joining ceremony turned into a show of strength for the ruling party, with Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, BJP state president Manmohan Samal, senior leaders Basant Panda and Suresh Pujari, and several top functionaries in attendance. Hundreds of supporters gathered at the venue to welcome Jay into the saffron fold.
CM Majhi’s Pitch: “BJP Has Delivered What Others Couldn’t”
Speaking at the event, Chief Minister Mohan Majhi took a swipe at the previous BJD government, claiming that its ministers had been “helpless” and unable to address people’s issues.
“Even the late Raju Babu (Rajendra Dholakia) had expressed frustration over not being able to resolve Nuapada’s long-pending problems. In the last 16 months, our government has fulfilled every promise. Jay’s joining will bring new energy and light to Nuapada’s development journey,” Majhi said.
Jay Dholakia: “Fulfilling My Father’s Dream Is My Duty”
Expressing gratitude after joining the BJP, Jay Dholakia said he was motivated by conviction, not compulsion.
“It is my duty to fulfill my father’s unfinished dream. I have joined BJP out of my own will after witnessing its vision, principles, and progressive governance. I dedicate myself to realizing the dreams of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Minister Majhi, and my late father. Development in backward regions like Nuapada must be a continuous mission,” he said, asserting that he faced neither pressure nor inducement to join.
BJD Hits Back: “This Is Horse-Trading, Not Ideological Shift”
Jay’s crossover, however, has dealt a sharp blow to the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), which had reportedly considered him a potential candidate for the bypoll.
Reacting sharply, senior BJD leader Pratap Jena alleged, “Jay used to say Naveen Patnaik is his leader, but now he has joined BJP. This is nothing but political horse-trading. Rajendra Babu’s blood does not run in his veins — he was an adopted son. The late leader’s soul will never forgive this betrayal.”
Jena further claimed that Jay’s move would have no real impact on the outcome of the election, but his remarks have sparked controversy among locals, with many viewing them as disrespectful.
Nuapada Bypoll on November 11
The Election Commission of India has scheduled polling for the Nuapada by-election on November 11, coinciding with the Bihar Assembly polls. While Congress has already named Ghasiram Majhi as its candidate, both BJD and BJP have yet to announce their official nominees.
Jay’s induction, however, has changed the dynamics of the race, with strong speculation that he will emerge as the BJP’s face in the constituency — one historically loyal to the Dholakia family.
In the 2024 Assembly polls, BJP had finished a distant third in Nuapada, but with this symbolic joining, the party hopes to reclaim lost ground in western Odisha.
Political Significance
Jay Dholakia’s entry into BJP is being seen as a prestige battle — not just for the ruling party but also for Chief Minister Majhi’s 16-month-old government. The bypoll result is expected to serve as a litmus test for the BJP’s governance record and its growing influence in western Odisha, where emotional legacy, regional aspirations, and development politics are set to collide head-on.