BJP National VP Baijayant Panda leads massive roadshow in Nuapada as bypoll campaign intensifies

Election campaigns in Nuapada have reached a fever pitch ahead of the November 11 Assembly by-election, with BJP National Vice President and Kendrapara MP Baijayant Panda spearheading an extensive campaign for party candidate Jay Dholakia on Sunday.

Sources reported that on Sunday morning, Jay Panda led a massive roadshow across Nuapada town, marking the second consecutive day of his campaign in the constituency.

Jay Panda’s Roadshow Draws Large Crowd

Reports stated that the BJP leader commenced the day with a grand roadshow from Nuapada police station square, drawing enthusiastic participation from party workers and residents as the rally wound through the main streets of the town.

Following the roadshow, Panda offered prayers at the Vaishnavi Temple in Komna before addressing a public meeting in Komna and later another at Sarabang under Nuapada block. These events formed part of his marathon outreach in support of Jay Dholakia, the party’s candidate for the bypoll.

In his addresses over the two days, Jay Panda urged voters to back the BJP for sustained development under a double-engine government, noting major growth engines such as the Subhadra Scheme, which he stated had benefited around 75,000 women in Nuapada alone.

In his address to a large gathering of people at Nuapada, Baijayant Panda spoke of the development-oriented vision of PM Modi.

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi is the most beloved leader of any country. It is not my or the party's words. Several reports and papers have been published on this very fact. Under his leadership, the country has progressed tremendously."

He further launched a scathing attack on the opposition BJD and claimed that it is incapable of bringing progress and prosperity to the state.

"They (BJD) could not develop the state when they were in power for 25 years. How can they deliver it now while being in the opposition? It is not possible for them. But now that Odisha has chosen a double-engine government, all-around development of the state has begun."

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Triangular Contest Expected

According to the Election Commission, 14 candidates remain in the fray after the withdrawal deadline ended on October 25. Initially, 19 nominations were filed, five of which were rejected during scrutiny.

The contest is now shaping up as a triangular fight among BJP’s Jay Dholakia, BJD’s Snehangini Chhuria, and Congress’s Ghasiram Majhi, with each banking on distinct regional and caste support bases.

Voting for the Nuapada by-election will take place on November 11, with counting of votes and result declaration on November 14. The seat fell vacant following the demise of former MLA Rajendra Dholakia, prompting a high-stakes contest that will test the parties’ strength ahead of the 2029 Assembly polls.