Nuapada bypoll: Naveen Patnaik campaigns for BJD candidate, accuses BJP of halting progress

In a sharp attack against the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Biju Janata Dal (BJD) president and Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik on Monday accused the Odisha government of failing the people of Nuapada and the state at large.

Addressing a massive public rally in the district ahead of the November 11 by-election, Patnaik said the BJP had “betrayed the trust” of both the voters and the BJD, while halting all development work over the last 16 months.

Naveen Slams BJP Over ‘Zero Development’

“Whenever I come to Nuapada, I am reminded of Biju Babu, who founded this district,” said the BJD supremo, recalling the contributions of his father and former Chief Minister Biju Patnaik. 

“During our government’s tenure, I approved every proposal that was brought forward by Raju Babu (late MLA Rajendra Dholakia) for the development of this district,” he added.

Patnaik accused the BJP government of abandoning welfare commitments made to the people. “Is anyone here getting 300 units of free electricity? Are senior citizens receiving Rs 3,500 as a pension? Has any farmer received urea fertiliser?” he asked the crowd, which responded with loud denials.

He further said that Mission Shakti women workers had gone unpaid for eight months and took a swipe at the BJP’s rebranding of welfare schemes.

“There is no work, no progress, only publicity,” Patnaik asserted, contrasting the state’s Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana (BSKY) with the Centre’s Ayushman Bharat and questioning its effectiveness.

Urging voters to stand with BJD candidate Snehangini Chhuria, Patnaik said, “She is deeply connected to the soil of Nuapada. Bless her with your votes, and we will take your fight forward on November 11.”

BJP Counteroffensive

Even as Patnaik’s rally dominated headlines, the BJP continued its aggressive campaign in Nuapada. Earlier on Sunday, BJP National Vice President and Kendrapara MP Baijayant Panda led a massive roadshow in support of party candidate Jay Dholakia, son of the late BJD MLA Rajendra Dholakia, who had joined the BJP last month in a move seen as a major political setback for the BJD.

Thousands of supporters accompanied Panda and Dholakia through the streets of Nuapada town, followed by public meetings at Komna and Sarabang. Panda urged voters to back the BJP for “all-round progress under a double-engine government.”

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BJD Grapples With Defections Ahead Of Polls

Naveen Patnaik’s Monday rally came amid a turbulent phase for the BJD, with several high-profile exits shaking the party’s base.

Former Rajya Sabha MP Amar Patnaik’s decision to join the BJP on the same day dealt another blow to the conch party, which came soon after Jay Dholakia’s defection.