‘BJD ignored during my father’s illness’: BJP candidate Jay Dholakia expresses pain ahead of Nuapada Bypoll

In an emotional address ahead of the Nuapada bypoll, BJP candidate Jay Dholakia publicly expressed his disappointment with the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), alleging that the party neglected his family during his father’s illness and after his passing.

Speaking at a gathering, Dholakia said that when his father, Rajendra (Raju) Dholakia, was critically ill, no one from the BJD enquired about his condition or extended support. “It feels bad that the party leader neither called nor visited when my father was in the hospital. Even during the preparatory meeting for his ‘Dashaha’ (tenth-day ritual) ceremony, I was not invited,” he said.

Dholakia, visibly moved, added that his father had devoted his entire life to the BJD, yet when he needed them the most, the party “turned its back.” He said this personal pain was a turning point in his decision to leave the BJD and join the BJP.

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“My father dreamed of making Nuapada the number one district in Odisha. To fulfill that dream, I chose the BJP, because it wouldn’t have been possible within the BJD,” Dholakia stated.

Responding to the allegations, BJD Nuapada district president Abani Joshi dismissed the claims as baseless and politically motivated. “These are false allegations. The BJD always stood by Raju Bhai (Rajendra Dholakia). His son’s remarks are unfortunate and made for political gain,” Joshi said.

The emotional exchange has added fresh intensity to the political atmosphere in Nuapada ahead of the bypoll.