Nuapada By-Election: Betrayal in the Hour of Grief: BJP Candidate Jay DholaKia Levels Grave Charges Against Naveen Patnaik

Tears on the Campaign Trail

The ongoing Nuapada Assembly by-election has taken an emotional turn as BJP candidate Jay Dholakia accused BJD supremo Naveen Patnaik of showing complete indifference toward his late father, Rajendra Dholakia, a veteran BJD leader and former MLA, during his final days.

At an emotional rally in Budhi Komna village under Komna block, Dholakia appeared barefoot before the crowd and poured his heart out, narrating what he called the “evil design and wrong moves” of Naveen Patnaik that deeply hurt his family and alienated loyal party workers across the district.

“Not Even One Voice from BJD Stood by Us”

Dholakia recalled the painful moments of his father’s illness, saying that while Rajendra Dholakia was “fighting for life in a hospital bed,” no senior BJD leader, including the Chief Minister, visited or even telephoned the family.

“Not even one voice of the BJD came forward when my father fought death,” he said, his voice trembling before an emotionally charged crowd.

He further alleged that the silence and absence of BJD leaders continued even during the 10th-day rituals and condolence gathering, where the family received condolences from people across party lines — except from the BJD.

Legacy Betrayed: The Dholakia Family’s Political Roots

The Dholakia family, which has dominated the political and social life of Nuapada district for over four decades, is regarded as one of the most respected political dynasties in western Odisha. Rajendra Dholakia had represented the region multiple times and was instrumental in bringing key development schemes to the drought-prone constituency.

Jay Dholakia, inheriting his father’s mass connect and local goodwill, had long been seen as a natural successor in the BJD ranks. However, following his father’s demise and what he called “emotional betrayal” by the party leadership, Dholakia switched allegiance to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) earlier this year.

Dholakia Counters Naveen’s “Villainous” Remark

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, in a recent campaign remark, had suggested that Jay Dholakia was “lured away” by the BJP — an insinuation that Dholakia publicly denounced as “villainous and unbecoming of a leader.”

“I could not have expected anything worse from a man whom I considered a father figure,” Dholakia said, adding that such comments reflect how disconnected the BJD leadership has become from the emotions of its own cadre.

He also criticized what he called the “arrogant political culture” within the BJD that prioritizes image management over human values.

Contrasting Optics: Naveen’s Late Outreach

In an unexpected turn, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik reportedly attended a later condolence event in person, extending condolences to the bereaved family and promising direct monitoring of Nuapada’s development.

Senior BJP leader and national vice president Baijayant Panda also attended the event, symbolizing what party insiders described as the BJP’s “compassionate outreach” in contrast to the BJD’s cold response.

Emotions Eclipse Issues

As the Nuapada by-election intensifies, Dholakia’s emotional appeal has become the centerpiece of BJP’s local campaign. His narrative of “personal betrayal” and “moral neglect” by the ruling party has reportedly resonated deeply with sections of voters still loyal to his late father’s memory.

“The people of Nuapada mourn with me,” Dholakia said at the end of his speech, vowing to transform his personal grief into a public mission for the district’s improvement.

Political observers note that this emotional saga may overshadow key policy debates, turning the by-poll into a battle of legacy versus loyalty — where sympathy and sentiment may play as decisive a role as development promises.

A Constituency Torn Between Legacy and Rejuvenation

Nuapada, a tribal and agrarian-dominated constituency, has historically swung between Congress and BJD dominance, with BJP making gradual inroads in recent years.

With Jay Dholakia’s entry, the BJP appears to be leveraging both sympathy and legacy, hoping to consolidate a broad support base among traditional BJD voters disillusioned with the ruling establishment.

As campaigning enters its final stretch, Dholakia’s emotional storytelling and the symbolism of betrayal have turned the Nuapada by-poll into one of Odisha’s most watched and emotionally charged electoral contests in recent times.