File photo of Mohan Majhi meeting Naveen Patnaik at his residence, before taking oath as Chief minister of Odisha, in Bhubaneswar
| Photo Credit: The Hindu
The outcome of the upcoming bypoll in Odisha’s Nuapada Assembly constituency — necessitated by the death of former minister Rajendra Dholakia — may not affect the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government’s survival, but it will undoubtedly test the leadership quality of the party, as well as of Biju Janata Dal (BJD), and Congress.The Nuapada Assembly constituency, which borders Chhattisgarh, was won by the BJD in the 2024 election. Since 2000, the seat had been represented thrice by the late Dholakia as a BJD legislator and once as an Independent, while former State BJP president Basant Panda secured two victories.The former minister’s prospects, apart from his personal touch with the constituency, was bolstered by the towering popularity of BJD supremo and former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, who had an undefeated stint for 24 years in the State. During Mr. Patnaik’s tenure as Chief Minister, a BJD ticket was seen as half the battle won even before polling day.That political dynamic has changed dramatically after 2024. The BJP’s surprise victory catapulted the party to power on its own for the first time in Odisha, upending ground realities. The BJP, which once accused the BJD of exploiting State machinery, money and muscle to secure repeated wins, now finds itself on the other side of that equation.Mohan Majhi’s elevation as Chief Minister, ahead of aspirants like Union Ministers Dharmendra Pradhan and Jual Oram, has placed the responsibility squarely on him to deliver results. After 15 months in office, Mr. Majhi has outlined his governance priorities and sought to rally his party behind him. A victory in Nuapada would not only validate his model of governance but also strengthen the case for his leadership.For Mr. Patnaik, the bypoll presents a new kind of challenge. Except for his initial years in the Opposition, he had always contested from the position of power, where the State apparatus — police and local administration — often tilted subtly in favour of the ruling party. Now, without the advantage of incumbency, his enduring popularity will face its sternest test.Apart from the two main contenders, the Congress too has a significant stake in the bypoll. The constituency falls under the Kalahandi Lok Sabha seat, long-nurtured by Bhakta Charan Das, the current president of the Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC). With this being the first election after his elevation as State party chief, the outcome carries huge importance. A poor performance would raise serious questions about his leadership and the party’s relevance in Odisha’s changing political landscape.For all three leaders – Mr. Majhi, Mr. Patnaik and Mr. Das – the Nuapada bypoll carries high stakes. A BJD victory would help the party regain lost momentum, while a BJP win would further consolidate Chief Minister Majhi’s position. A surprise Congress triumph, on the other hand, could revive the confidence of its cadre and signal the party’s intent to reclaim lost ground in Odisha. Published - September 30, 2025 08:58 pm IST
