BJP’s Jay Dholakia Leads In Nuapada Bypoll In Odisha

nuapada : As counting continued for the Nuapada assembly by-election in Odisha on Friday, BJP candidate Jay Dholakia was ahead by over 40,000 votes, according to the EC. After 12 rounds of counting, Dholakia got 59,366 votes while her nearest rival, BJD’s Snehangini Chhuria, got 19,053 votes.

Congress candidate Ghasi Ram Majhi stood third with 17,437 votes. Jay is the son of BJD MLA Rajendra Dholakia, whose death necessitated a general election.

This election holds political significance for the ruling BJP as it is the first electoral contest in the state since the party formed its government in the state last year.

Prime Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, who visited Nuapada at least six times ahead of the general election, considered it a matter of prestige. Similarly, the election is also being seen as a test of BJD chief Naveen Patnaik’s influence in state politics.

A total of 26 rounds of counting will be held and the process will start at 08:00 in the morning under strict security measures. Voter turnout in the by-election was recorded as 83.45 percent.