Bhubaneswar, 11 October (H.S.) In a major political development ahead of the upcoming Nuapada Assembly by-election, Jay Dholakia, son of late BJD MLA Rajendra Dholakia, officially joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday.

Jay Dholakia was welcomed into the party fold at the BJP’s state headquarters in Bhubaneswar. The induction ceremony was attended by BJP Odisha president Manmohan Samal, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, and senior leaders including former state president Basant Panda.

The Nuapada by-election is scheduled for November 11, coinciding with the second phase of the Bihar Assembly polls and by-elections in six other Assembly constituencies across India.

While the Congress has already announced Ghasiram Majhi, a prominent tribal leader, as its candidate, the BJP has yet to make its official declaration. However, Jay Dholakia’s entry into the saffron party is widely perceived as a strategic move, signaling the possibility of him being fielded as the party’s candidate in the constituency once represented by his late father.

The Biju Janata Dal (BJD), on the other hand, has not yet finalised its nominee for the bypoll.

The by-election was necessitated following the demise of sitting BJD MLA Rajendra Dholakia on September 8, which led to the vacancy of the Nuapada Assembly seat.

Political observers suggest that Jay Dholakia’s induction could significantly reshape the electoral landscape in Nuapada, given his father’s longstanding influence and goodwill in the region. The development also signals the BJP’s efforts to strengthen its presence in western Odisha ahead of the crucial bypoll.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda