As political temperature rises ahead of the Nuapada by-election, the battle for this western Odisha seat has taken an unexpected turn. With the BJD fielding an outsider candidate and a prominent local leader switching sides, political observers say the ruling party may have handed its rivals a strategic advantage.
Jay Dholakia’s Defection Shakes Equations
The sudden move of Jay Dholakia — son of late MLA Rajendra Dholakia — from the BJD to the BJP has dramatically altered the contest. His defection not only dismantled BJD’s stronghold in Nuapada but also boosted the BJP’s prospects in a region long considered a regional bastion of the ruling party.
Jay’s emotional connect as the son of a popular leader and his appeal as a “son of the soil” has resonated strongly among voters. His entry into the BJP has transformed what was expected to be a routine bypoll into a high-stakes political duel.
BJD’s Surprise Choice: An Outsider from Bargarh
After days of speculation, BJD supremo Naveen Patnaik announced Snehangini Chhuria, a leader from Bargarh district, as the party’s candidate. Her nomination has surprised many within the party ranks and triggered murmurs of discontent among local aspirants.
Chhuria had contested the 2019 election from the Attabira assembly segment and lost by 28,910 votes. Her selection over several local hopefuls has raised eyebrows. Political insiders question the rationale behind choosing a non-local candidate when the emotional factor often dominates bypolls.
Was It a “Delhi Deal”?
The timing of events has added fuel to speculation. Jay Dholakia joined the BJP a day after Naveen Patnaik returned from Delhi — the same day BJD announced Snehangini’s name for Nuapada. This sequence of events has led to whispers of a “Delhi deal” — a tacit understanding between the two major parties to keep each other’s interests intact in specific constituencies.
Senior BJP leader Shrimayee Mishra added further spark by claiming that the BJD’s move confirmed “Kanhne’s Delhi deal.” Her sharp remarks have amplified suspicions that the ruling party may have deliberately fielded a weaker candidate to make way for an easy BJP victory.
The Local Sentiment: “Outsider” vs “Native Son”
Nuapada voters are now presented with a sharp contrast — an “outsider” from Bargarh versus a “local son” carrying his father’s political legacy. Observers believe that sympathy for Jay Dholakia as the son of a deceased MLA and his familiarity with local issues could weigh heavily in his favour.
In contrast, Snehangini’s “outsider” tag could hinder her outreach, despite her political experience. Her distant connection — having maternal roots in Nuapada — may not be enough to sway local voters in a bypoll driven by emotional and identity-based factors.
What Lies Ahead
The BJD’s decision has left many within the party puzzled. By ignoring local aspirants and picking a non-local face, the party appears to have weakened its own position. Meanwhile, the BJP’s morale is high as the Dholakia factor energises its base.
With the Congress also fielding a local candidate, the triangular contest is heating up fast. Whether the “Delhi deal” theory holds true or not, one thing is certain — Nuapada’s bypoll has evolved into a litmus test for BJD’s local strategy and Naveen Patnaik’s political instincts.
As the campaign intensifies, all eyes are on whether the “outsider” can protect the party’s pride or if the “son of the soil” will script a historic upset.