Political Transition in the Heart of Western Odisha
Nuapada, one of western Odisha’s politically vibrant constituencies, is gearing up for a crucial by-election following the demise of sitting MLA Rajendra Dholakia in September. As the bypoll approaches, all eyes are now on his son, Jay Dholakia, who on Friday formally joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) — a move that could reshape the political landscape of the region.
Jay, son of the late BJD stalwart, had been at the centre of speculation for weeks after his father’s passing. His decision to align with the BJP rather than continue in his father’s party marks a turning point not just in local politics, but in Odisha’s evolving political currents.
A Strategic Defection Ahead of the Polls
Jay Dholakia officially joined the BJP in the presence of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, BJP state president Manmohan Samal, and Deputy Chief Minister K.V. Singh Deo at a gathering in Bhubaneswar. His induction, welcomed with enthusiasm by party leaders, is being seen as a strategic coup for the BJP, which has been working to consolidate its base in western Odisha.
With this move, the BJP has gained a familiar local face with strong grassroots connections. Jay Dholakia’s late father, Rajendra, was a respected leader and twice-elected legislator from Nuapada, known for his accessible leadership and development initiatives in the region. His son’s entry into the saffron fold now gives the BJP a potential candidate with legacy, credibility, and emotional appeal.
BJP’s Advantage, BJD’s Setback
The timing of Dholakia’s switch is critical. The Biju Janata Dal (BJD), which had been expected to retain the seat as part of its traditional stronghold, now faces a significant challenge. With Jay moving to the BJP, the ruling party must now identify a strong replacement capable of countering both legacy and sympathy factors working in Dholakia’s favour.
For the Congress, which has already fielded Ghasiram Majhi, a well-known tribal leader, the by-election represents an opportunity to regain relevance in a region where it has steadily lost ground. However, the presence of a Dholakia on the BJP side is expected to fragment votes that once flowed comfortably toward the BJD.
Voices from the Party and Beyond
Welcoming Jay Dholakia into the BJP, CM Mohan Majhi said his “grassroots understanding and personal connect with the people of Nuapada will strengthen the party’s foothold in western Odisha.”
State BJP president Manmohan Samal echoed that sentiment, calling his induction “a boost to the party’s mission of inclusive development.”
For his part, Jay expressed deep faith in the BJP’s leadership and ideology. “My father devoted his life to the service of the people. I wish to continue his work under the BJP’s leadership and contribute to the development of Nuapada and Odisha,” he said.
Wider Implications for Odisha Politics
The Nuapada by-election, scheduled for November 11, coincides with several bypolls nationwide and the second phase of the Bihar Assembly elections — a timing that will place the state’s politics firmly under the national spotlight.
Political observers say the bypoll’s outcome could serve as a barometer for public sentiment toward Odisha’s new BJP government, which assumed power earlier this year. A win here would not only consolidate BJP’s position in the western belt but also signal a deeper erosion of BJD’s once-dominant rural network.
For voters, this election blends emotion with expectation — a test of loyalty to the Dholakia family legacy, and a reflection on which party can best deliver development in the drought-prone region.
A Contest Beyond One Constituency
As Nuapada braces for a closely watched bypoll, the entry of Jay Dholakia has injected fresh energy and intrigue into the race. Beyond a contest for one Assembly seat, it symbolizes Odisha’s shifting political narrative — from legacy-driven politics to a battle over vision, governance, and regional empowerment.
Whichever way the outcome swings, the Nuapada by-election is poised to influence Odisha’s political discourse far beyond its borders, setting the tone for the state’s next electoral chapter.
(With agency inputs)
