High Stakes in Nuapada: A Political Tug-of-War

The upcoming Nuapada bypoll in Odisha is set against a backdrop of political maneuvering, with five nomination papers rejected due to technicalities. A triangular contest between BJP, BJD, and Congress is anticipated. The poll is crucial for assessing Chief Minister Mohan Majhi's political strategy post-2024 elections.

The Nuapada bypoll in Odisha has taken a dramatic turn with the rejection of five nomination papers, reducing the candidate list to 14 from the original 19. The disqualified candidates include the BSP's Rajaram Sahu and Rashtriya Parivartan Dal's Sitaram Behera, along with three Independents.

Among the remaining contenders, the main political parties—the BJP, BJD, and Congress—are primed for a fierce triangular contest. With BJD's former MLA's son Jay Dholakia now a BJP candidate, the battle intensifies as the ruling BJP, recently victorious in the 2024 polls, focuses on consolidating its power.

This bypoll holds significant weight for Chief Minister Mohan Majhi as it will test his administration's efficacy post the last general elections. The election outcome will also be a litmus test for BJD's strategy, after its 2024 election defeat despite a strong vote share, and Congress's re-election efforts led by Bhakta Charan Das.

(With inputs from agencies.)