Bhubaneswar, Oct 11: In a significant twist ahead of the Nuapada by-election, Jay Dholakia, son of late MLA Rajendra Dholakia, formally joined the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), delivering a major setback to the Biju Janata Dal (BJD).

The induction took place at the BJP state headquarters in Bhubaneswar in the presence of several senior leaders including Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, BJP state president Manmohan Samal, Deputy CM KV Singh Deo, Health Minister Dr. Mukesh Mahaling, former BJP Odisha president Basanta Panda, and MLAs Jayanarayan Mishra and Himanshu Shekhar Sahoo.

Welcoming Jay Dholakia into the party, Samal stated, “His entry will strengthen the party’s position in Nuapada. The government has completed 16 months and earned public trust through its work. We are confident of victory in the upcoming bypoll.”

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CM Majhi echoed the sentiment, saying, “Jay Dholakia’s inclusion reflects our commitment to good governance and will further empower the BJP in Nuapada.”

The by-election for the Nuapada assembly seat is scheduled for November 11, with vote counting on November 14. The election notification will be issued on November 13, while October 20 is the last date for filing nominations. Scrutiny will be held on October 22, and October 24 is the final date for withdrawal.

The Nuapada seat fell vacant following the demise of four-time MLA Rajendra Dholakia on September 8. Initially elected as an independent, he later won three consecutive terms as a BJD candidate and served as the Minister of Planning and Coordination in the previous government.

With Jay Dholakia now in the BJP camp, the political dynamics in Nuapada are set for a dramatic shift ahead of the crucial bypoll.