Bhubaneswar, Oct 12: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has intensified its preparations for the upcoming Nuapada by-election, with Odisha Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari and senior leader Basanta Panda outlining the party’s roadmap during a high-level core committee meeting.

Speaking to the media, Pujari clarified that while the party president proposes candidates, the final decision rests with the core committee. “From candidate selection to booth-level preparations, everything was discussed in today’s meeting. General Secretary Sunil Bansal and two central observers were present,” he said.

Pujari emphasized that booth committee renewal and formation of new booths were key agenda points. “The strategy is not for public disclosure, but BJP is confident of victory. We will wrest the seat from BJD,” he asserted.

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He also took a swipe at Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee President Bhakta Charan Das, saying, “Some are acting like astrologers, predicting results before the match has even begun. Such overconfidence is misplaced.”

Senior BJP leader Panda echoed similar sentiments, stating that the party’s focus is on ensuring victory, regardless of who the candidate is. “Former presidents, ministers, and MLAs have been assigned specific tasks. The candidate will be chosen with consensus and the entire team will work to ensure their win,” he said.

Panda also addressed speculation around BJP “buying” candidates like Jay Dholakia. “BJP is not a business. We believe in nationalism and service to the motherland. People are not for sale, and neither is our ideology,” he said firmly.

The party is expected to announce its candidate soon, with the nomination deadline set for October 13. The meeting marked a crucial step in BJP’s campaign planning, signalling a united and strategic push in Nuapada.

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