Ahead of Nuapada bypoll, parties engage in political slugfest

Bhubaneswar: As Nuapada braces for the high-stakes bypoll on Nov 11, political temperature soared with symbolic gestures, street protests and sharp rhetoric from the three major parties.Marking the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, BJP state president Manmohan Samal led a Unity Run in Nuapada, invoking Patel’s legacy to rally support. “One India, Best India, Self-reliant India is our resolution,” Samal declared, urging youth to emulate Patel’s patriotism and resolve.The run saw participation from deputy chief minister K V Singh Deo and ministers Mukesh Mahaling and Nityananda Gond among others.

On a similar run at Khariar Road, BJP candidate Jay Dholakia was joined by MPs Sukant Panigrahi and Malavika Devi.The BJD on the other hand staged a massive protest outside the Nuapada collector’s office, accusing the district administration of acting as “agents of the BJP”. Led by Biju Yuva Janata Dal president Chinmay Sahu, the protesters alleged that the collector and SP were intimidating BJD workers and misusing their authority to influence voters.

A joint statement from BJD youth leaders warned that if democratic norms are not upheld, the people of Nuapada will respond decisively. The party demanded immediate corrective measures to ensure a free and fair election.Adding to the charged atmosphere, senior Congress leader and former PCC president Prasad Harichandan addressed a press conference in Bhubaneswar, asserting that the Nuapada result will “give a new direction to Odisha politics.”“In Nuapada, the equation is clear — reject the outsider, empower your insider,” Harichandan said, positioning Congress candidate Ghasiram Majhi as the local alternative to what he called “outsider imposition” by both BJP and BJD.Harichandan accused the “double-engine govt” of deploying officials for partisan work, citing police raids on the Congress office while BJP and BJD offices remained untouched. He likened the current scenario to Kantabanji, where then CM Naveen Patnaik faced defeat despite a high-profile campaign.“BJD candidate (Snehangini Chhuria) is from Bargarh, not Nuapada. Naveen babu’s campaign may create buzz, but it won’t sway the voters,” Harichandan said ahead of Naveen’s plan to campaign at Komna on Monday.Harichandan also questioned the use of late Rajendra Dholakia’s image by both BJP and BJD, suggesting a covert alliance between the two.He highlighted Congress’s historical contributions to Nuapada — from famine relief visits by Indira Gandhi to development works under the KBK scheme.

He criticised the BJP and BJD for failing to enhance Potra dam’s capacity or complete the Khurda-Balangir railway line, despite administrative approval during Congress rule.Mocking BJP’s Rs 1,100 crore package for Nuapada announced by CM Mohan Charan Majhi, Harichandan said, “That’s like blowing a conch shell in the sea.” He lamented the lack of express train halts at Nuapada and the continued migration of educated youth for wage labour.“The BJP and BJD have given Nuapada new identities — famine, epidemics and migration,” he said, claiming visible enthusiasm for the Congress candidate since nomination day.Countering both BJD and Congress, BJP media state in-charge Sujit Das said, “Both parties are looking for excuses for their impending defeats.” Dismissing the allegation that BJP was misusing administration, Das said instead of fighting democratically, the two parties indulged in baseless blame game,” Das added.