In a twist of events, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday (October 11, 2025) received a major boost with the joining of Jay Dholakia, son of late minister and Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leader Rajendra Dholkia, whose demise necessitated the bypoll in Odisha’s Nuapada Assembly constituency.
The BJP is likely to field Jay Dholakia as its candidate in the bypoll, scheduled to take place on November 14. It was widely speculated that the BJD would have nominated Mr. Jay to capitalise on the sympathy factor following his father’s death.
Odisha bypoll a litmus test for all three party leaders
Mr. Jay arrived at the BJP State office here in an impressive procession. The significance of his induction was evident as Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Deputy Chief Minister K. V. Singh Deo, and State BJP president Manmohan Samal personally welcomed him into the party fold.
“Former Minister Rajendra Dholakia had many opponents based on ideological grounds, but he did not have any enemies,” said Mr. Majhi, who hinted at his son’s candidature for the bypolls, from the BJP.
