Bhubaneswar, 20, oct : In a significant political development ahead of the Nuapada by-election, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has announced Jay Dholakia, son of late MLA Rajendra Dholakia, as its candidate.
Jay Dholakia had joined the BJP on October 11, and within a few days, he was chosen as the party’s nominee, surprising many in political circles. According to BJP Rajya Sabha MP Sujit Kumar, Jay will file his nomination papers on October 16, with Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi himself scheduled to accompany him to Nuapada for the nomination process.
Sujit Kumar further stated that the BJP expects a landslide victory with over 50,000 votes, citing two major reasons: the BJD is yet to announce its candidate, and the Congress has lost relevance among the voters. This, he said, makes BJP’s victory almost certain in the Nuapada seat.
Interestingly, before joining the BJP, there was strong speculation that Jay Dholakia would be fielded by the Biju Janata Dal (BJD). While it was never officially declared, it was considered almost confirmed only the announcement was pending. However, in a twist that surprised many, he chose to join the BJP instead, altering the political equations in the state.
Political analysts have called this move a “masterstroke” by the BJP, which not only boosts their position in Nuapada but is also seen as a major setback for the BJD.
