Bhubaneswar: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has officially named Jay Dholakia as its candidate for the high-stakes Nuapada assembly by-election in Odisha . The bypoll, scheduled for November 11, 2025, marks the first major electoral test for the state's BJP government led by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi. 
The BJP's move to field him is widely seen as a strategic effort to capitalize on the goodwill and developmental work associated with his late father . This development reportedly upset the BJD's initial plans, which had hoped to field Jay Dholakia to harness a potential sympathy vote among the electorate.
According to the Election Commission of India's schedule, the electoral process for Nuapada is as follows :
This by-poll is crucial for all major parties involved. For the BJP, it is a test of its popularity and the performance of the new Majhi government . For the BJD, which has long held the seat, it is a matter of prestige and its first electoral battle as an opposition party in the state . For the Congress, the contest is an opportunity to reassert its relevance in Odisha's fast-evolving political scene.
The counting of votes for Nuapada and the other seven assembly by-elections across the country will be held on November 14, with the entire process scheduled for completion by November 16.
A Significant Political Shift
Jay Dholakia is the son of the late Rajendra Dholakia, the sitting Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MLA and former minister whose demise in September created the vacancy. His decision to join the BJP on October 11, 2025, instead of continuing with his father's party, represents a significant shift in the constituency's political landscape.The BJP's move to field him is widely seen as a strategic effort to capitalize on the goodwill and developmental work associated with his late father . This development reportedly upset the BJD's initial plans, which had hoped to field Jay Dholakia to harness a potential sympathy vote among the electorate.
Campaign and Nominations
Jay Dholakia is scheduled to file his nomination papers on October 16. The event is planned as a major show of strength for the ruling party, with an extensive roadshow led by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and attended by senior ministers, MPs, and MLAs . BJP Rajya Sabha MP Sujit Kumar has claimed that over 2,000 workers from the BJD and Congress are expected to join the BJP on the same day, and the party is aiming for a victory margin of over 50,000 votes.According to the Election Commission of India's schedule, the electoral process for Nuapada is as follows :
| Poll Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Last Date for Filing Nominations | October 20, 2025 |
| Scrutiny of Nominations | October 22, 2025 |
| Last Date for Withdrawal of Candidatures | October 24, 2025 |
| Date of Poll | November 11, 2025 |
| Counting of Votes | November 14, 2025 |
The Political Stakes and Other Candidates
The by-election has set the stage for a keenly watched triangular contest. While the BJP has announced its candidate, the BJD is yet to declare its nominee . The Congress party has already named Ghasiram Majhi as its candidate for the seat.This by-poll is crucial for all major parties involved. For the BJP, it is a test of its popularity and the performance of the new Majhi government . For the BJD, which has long held the seat, it is a matter of prestige and its first electoral battle as an opposition party in the state . For the Congress, the contest is an opportunity to reassert its relevance in Odisha's fast-evolving political scene.
The counting of votes for Nuapada and the other seven assembly by-elections across the country will be held on November 14, with the entire process scheduled for completion by November 16.
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