Majhi Targets Naveen Over “Beiman” Remark

During a heated campaign rally in Komana block, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi launched a scathing attack on BJD supremo Naveen Patnaik, calling him a “beiman” (dishonest) and questioning his sense of political morality.
Majhi, addressing an energetic crowd, urged voters to deliver a massive victory for BJP’s Nuapada candidate Jay Dholkia, while mocking Patnaik’s earlier use of the same term against Dholkia.

“If beiman means betrayal, then who fits the word better?” Majhi asked amid applause. “The Chief Minister himself once used this word for Dholkia, and now his speechwriters have confused even him. How could someone who doesn’t understand the meaning of loyalty call others beiman?” Majhi said to loud cheers.

BJD Accused of Poaching and Political Betrayal

Majhi didn’t stop at rhetoric. He accused the Biju Janata Dal of being a habitual violator of political ethics.
Citing examples, he alleged that the BJD had stolen a Congress candidate in the Bijepur bypoll and tried to lure a Kakutpur prospect with ministerial promises.
“Who orchestrated the defection of the former Leader of Opposition from Congress to BJD?” Majhi asked, insinuating deep-seated opportunism within Patnaik’s camp.

The Chief Minister further reminded the audience of how BJD had once sidelined veterans such as Bijay Mahapatra and Nalini Mohanty, branding the party as one that “betrays its own”. “And now they dare to call Jay Dholkia dishonest? The irony is complete,” Majhi said.

Questions Over BJD’s Candidate Choice in Nuapada

Majhi also ridiculed BJD’s choice of Snehangini Chhuria as its Nuapada candidate, calling it an insult to local leadership.
“Couldn’t you find a local leader? Why import someone from Bargarh?” he asked. “Nuapada deserves someone who knows the people, their pain, and their pride. That’s why I ask you to elect Jay Dholkia overwhelmingly — make this bypoll a matter of credibility and pride.”

A Battle of Credibility and “Beiman” Politics

With the Nuapada bypoll days away, Majhi’s unfiltered remarks have set the stage for an escalating war of words between the BJP and BJD.
His fiery speech, mixing sarcasm and sharp political punches, has turned the campaign narrative into a contest of integrity, with both sides accusing each other of deceit and betrayal.

As polling day nears, voters in Nuapada are left with a rhetorical question echoing through the campaign trail:
Who truly embodies “Beiman” — the accuser or the accused?

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.

BJP Worker Alleges Assault by Senior BJD Leaders

Political tensions have flared in Nuapada district, Odisha, ahead of the upcoming by-election, following an alleged assault on a BJP supporter by top leaders of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD).

According to reports, State Organisational Secretary Pranab Prakash Das (Bobi) and MLA Adhiraj Panigrahi have been accused of physically assaulting and threatening to kill a local resident, Jitu Adabanga, a former BJD worker who recently joined the BJP.

Incident at Komana Farmhouse Sparks Outrage

The alleged attack took place at the farmhouse of BJD leader Manoj Mishra in Komana. As per the FIR filed at Komana Police Station, Jitu claimed that he was lured to the farmhouse under false pretences, where he was verbally abused and beaten.

In his statement, Jitu alleged that Bobi Das caught his shirt and slapped him repeatedly, while MLA Adhiraj Panigrahi joined in the threats.

“If you don’t know me, I will kill you and your entire family,” Bobi allegedly said, according to Jitu’s FIR.

Jitu added that he was saved only after the local police intervened in time, saying, “If they had come late, I would have been killed.”

FIR Filed, But No Arrests Yet

An FIR has been registered under BNS sections 296, 126(2), 115(2), (3), and (5). However, no arrests have been made so far, triggering public anger over what locals call police inaction.

Citizens in Komana have accused IIC Rashmita Pradhan of shielding the accused leaders, as she allegedly avoids calls and has not taken concrete steps in the case.

Flying Squad Raids BJD Leader’s Residence

Meanwhile, election surveillance teams intensified their operations in the area. On Thursday, a flying squad accompanied by two magistrates and a police platoon raided the residence of BJD leader Pritiranjan Ghadai on Kharial Road.

Officials reportedly seized a large sum of cash, suspected to be intended for voter bribery, as part of the Election Commission’s crackdown on illegal activities during the by-election period.

By-Election Turns Hostile Amid Accusations of Muscle Power

With just days to go before polling, the political climate in Nuapada has turned increasingly volatile. Allegations of violence, intimidation, and misuse of power have clouded the electoral process.

Residents and civil society groups have demanded a fair investigation and judicial oversight, urging that the matter be brought before the court without delay.

Local observers note that the incident has once again exposed the growing use of political muscle in rural Odisha’s elections, raising questions about law enforcement neutrality and democratic integrity ahead of the crucial by-poll.