Nuapada By-Election: A Crucial Test for Odisha's Political Heavyweights

The upcoming by-election in Nuapada, Odisha, the first since the BJP assumed power in the state, is crucial for both the ruling BJP and opposition BJD. It's a test for Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi's leadership and Naveen Patnaik's prestige. The election was prompted by MLA Rajendra Dholakia's death.

The Nuapada by-election in Odisha has garnered significant attention as it marks the first electoral contest since the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) took control of the state 15 months ago. Both the BJP and the main opposition, Biju Janata Dal (BJD), see this as a crucial contest to gauge Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi's leadership appeal and to test the political clout of former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, ousted after a 24-year tenure.

The by-election, expected to coincide with the upcoming Bihar Assembly polls, was sparked by the death of four-time MLA Rajendra Dholakia. The BJD is expected to field his son, Joy, banking on a sympathy vote. Meanwhile, senior BJP leaders are strategizing ahead of candidate selection, eyeing this opportunity as a potential validation of their governance.

The outcome will not alter the balance of power in the assembly, but it is seen as a precursor to the 2027 panchayat polls, sending a critical political message across the state. As campaigning intensifies, the Nuapada constituency stands as a litmus test for political alliances and leadership in Odisha.

(With inputs from agencies.)