Bhubaneswar, Oct 16: BJP candidate Jay Dholakia will file his nomination papers on October 18 for the upcoming Nuapada by-election.

Earlier reports suggested that Dholakia would file his papers today amid a grand procession in Patua. However, the BJP has shifted focus to a major show of strength in Nuapada, where a massive rally is being held today in the presence of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi.

The Chief Minister is expected to arrive via a chartered flight at Gotma Airstrip and then join the public meeting. A large procession will begin near Gayatri Mandir as part of the BJP’s campaign momentum.

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Jay Dholakia, son of senior BJP leader Rajendra Dholakia, recently joined the party after leaving the BJD. His induction was held at the state BJP headquarters in the presence of top leaders including CM Majhi, State BJP President Manmohan Samal, Deputy CM Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, Health Minister Dr. Mukesh Mahaling, former state president Basanta Kumar Panda, Sambalpur MLA Jayanarayan Mishra, and Dharmasala MLA Himanshu Sekhar Sahoo.

Meanwhile, the BJD has announced Snehangini Chhuria as its candidate for the Nuapada by-election. Chhuria is a two-time MLA from Attabira. The Congress has fielded Ghasiram Majhi for the seat.

According to the Election Commission’s schedule, the Nuapada by-election will be held on November 11, with vote counting on November 14. The official notification was issued on October 13. The last date for filing
nominations is October 20, scrutiny will take place on October 22, and the final date for withdrawal is October 24.