Subhechcha Ganguly 
In a commanding victory credited widely to the focused planning and intensive campaigning led by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi’s , Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Jay Dholakia has won the Nuapada assembly by-election, defeating his rivals by a margin of over 80,000 votes. Dholakia secured approximately 1,23,869 votes, capturing around 59% of total valid votes cast.
He fought rigorously for the rights of people in Nuapada, ensuring their concerns, development needs and aspirations were placed at the forefront of the campaign so that they can have a better and dignified life.The BJP celebrated the victory as a clear endorsement of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi’s governance model, welfare initiatives, and his meticulous groundwork in Nuapada. Party leaders credited his people-centric approach, strategic mobilisation, and extensive planning as key reasons behind the landslide win.
Meanwhile, the BJD and Congress questioned aspects of the campaign, raising concerns over fairness and alleging irregularities.
His nearest rival from the Indian National Congress, Ghasi Ram Majhi, secured around 40,121 votes, while Biju Janata Dal’s (BJD) Snehangini Chhuria trailed with approximately 38,408 votes.
Why the by-poll was held & why it mattered
The by-poll in Nuapada was necessitated by the passing of four-term BJD MLA Rajendra Dholakia in September 2025. With the BJD’s long-standing grip over the region and the BJP’s emergence as the ruling party in Odisha, the election was considered a crucial test of shifting political sentiment.
Turnout, context & reactions
Voter turnout was exceptionally strong at 83.45%, significantly higher than many by-polls across the country, highlighting the electorate’s high engagement.
Political significance
The BJP’s sweeping margin signals a major shift in Odisha’s political landscape, especially in regions long dominated by the BJD. For the BJD, falling to a distant third has intensified internal debates about organisational strength and relevance in the region.
The Congress, though finishing ahead of the BJD, remains far behind the BJP, reflecting the uphill battle it faces in rebuilding its voter base.
Analysts note that this by-poll result may hint at evolving voter preferences and could foreshadow broader trends in upcoming state and national elections.
