File photo of Mohan Majhi meeting Naveen Patnaik in his residence before he folded the oath as the main Minister Odisha, in Bhubaneswar | Photo Credit: Hind
The result of the upcoming bypol in the Nuabada election district in Odish – required by the death of former Minister Rajendra Dhakia – may not affect the survival of Bharatiy Janat (BJP), and the survival of Biju (BJP) and congress and congress.
The NuaPad’s constituency, which borders with Chhattisgarh, has been won in the elections to 2024. Since 2000, the chair has been represented three times late Dhakia as the legislature of BJD and once as independent, while former state President BJP Basant Panda secured two victories.
In addition to his personal contact with the constituency, the prospects of the former minister were strengthened by the towering popularity of Supremo Bjd and the former main Minister of Naveen Patnaik, who had been undefeated Stint in the state. During the term of office of Mr. Patnaik as the main minister, the BJD ticket was considered half the battle, which won before the election day.
This political dynamics changed dramatically after 2024. The surprising victory of BJP ejected the party to increase the ground reality for the first time in Odisha for the first time in Odisha. BJP, who once accused BJD of exploiting state machines, money and muscle to ensure repeated winnings, now finds itself on the other side of this equation.
The promotion of Mohan Majhi as the main minister, before the applicants, such as the ministers of the Dharndra Pradhan and Jual Oram unions, set responsibility to achieve the results. After 15 months in the office, Mr. Majhi outlined his priorities of administration and tried to gather his party behind him. The victory in Naubad would not only confirm his model of public administration, but also strengthened the case for his leadership.
For Mr. Patnaik, Bypoll represents a new kind of challenge. With the exception of its initial years in opposition, he has always attacked the position of power where the state apparatus – the police and the local administration – often gently leaned in favor of the ruling party. Now, without the advantage of introducing, its permanent popularity will face its unpleasant test.
In addition to the two main candidates, the Congress also has a significant share in Bypoll. The constituency falls under the Kalahandi Lok Sabha chair, long covered by Bhakta Charan Das, the current president of the Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC). Given that this is the first elections after its altitude as the leading party of the state, the result is of great importance. Poor performance would raise serious questions about its leadership and the importance of the party into a changing political environment of Odisha.
For all three leaders – Mr. Majhi, Mr. Patnaik and Mr. Das – Nuabada Bypoll carries high bets. BJD victory would help the parties regain lost dynamics, while BJP victory would further consolidate the position of the main Minister Majhi. On the other hand, the Congress triumph can revive the confidence of their cadre and signal the party’s intention to get back the lost land in Odisha.
Published – September 20, 2025 20:58
