BJD’s Snehangini Chhuria rejects Nuapada bypoll verdict, alleges EVM tampering

Biju Janata Dal (BJD) raised serious objections on Sunday over the Assembly bypoll outcome in Nuapada, with the party’s women wing leader and candidate, Snehangini Chhuria, alleging manipulation of voting machines.

Also Read: BJD faces open revolt after Nuapada bypoll defeat; Corporator raises questions over Snehangini Chhuria’s candidature

Addressing a press meet, Chhuria said the final results did not reflect the ground support she witnessed during her campaign.

The losing BJD candidate stated that her party supremo and Leader of Opposition (LoP) Naveen Patnaik had personally stood by her, visiting Nuapada twice to seek votes on her behalf. She claimed to have travelled across the constituency segments where residents had openly expressed their support.

“The votes recorded in the machine appear unnatural. I cannot accept this result,” Chhuria said, strongly rejecting the mandate.

BJD’s women's wing leader went on to criticise the Election Commission, accusing it of failing to uphold fairness. She also alleged large-scale vote rigging and demanded accountability from authorities.

Chhuria’s remarks have sparked political discussion across the region, with BJD reiterating that the Nuapada verdict requires closer scrutiny.

“Immense support of the people for Biju Janata Dal has not been converted into votes. The mandate that has been reflected through the EVM is entirely unnatural. Polling was not conducted by adhering to the election norms, and result of the bypoll have not come out in a natural way. Hence, I completely reject the result,” Snehangini Chhuria said.

“I condemn the Election Commission and the district administration as well. I raise my voice against the electoral process,” BJD’s Chhuria added.

Reacting to this, BJP leader Anil Biswal stated, “If the BJD will not accept the reality, it will face the same fate as that of Congress in the centre. After BJD lost in the bypoll and slipped to the third position, senior leaders of the party have started opposing those persons who had been managing its election affairs (for Nuapada by-election).”

Reported By: Simpul Nayak