The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Odisha on Wednesday nominated Jay Dholakia as its candidate for the Nuapada assembly by-election, with voting scheduled for November 11, concurrent with the second phase of the Bihar polls.
Dholakia, the son of the late four-time Biju Janata Dal MLA Rajendra Dholakia, only joined the BJP on October 11. Party sources confirmed that he is scheduled to file his nomination papers as the BJP candidate on Thursday. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and other senior leaders of the saffron party are expected to be present for the filing. The party is also planning a substantial rally in Nuapada before Dholakia submits his papers.
The by-election was necessitated by the demise of Rajendra Dholakia on September 8. His son, Jay Dholakia, was initially tipped to be the BJD's candidate.
The BJP, whose candidate finished third in the 2024 Assembly polls, now hopes to secure the seat by banking on a sympathy wave favouring Dholakia.
Meanwhile, the opposition Congress has named Ghasiram Majhi as its candidate, who is set to file his nomination papers on October 19th. The BJD has yet to announce its candidate.
Also read: BJD slams BJP as Odisha makes night shifts voluntary for women
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