NUAPADA, Nov 14: Early trends from the Nuapada Assembly bypoll in Odisha indicate a decisive advantage for BJP candidate Jay Dholkia, who has surged ahead by more than 25,000 votes at the conclusion of the seventh round of counting.
According to initial figures, Dholkia has amassed 36,088 votes, far outpacing his nearest contender, Snehangini Chhuria of the BJD, who has polled 10,742 votes. Congress candidate Ghasiram Majhi follows with 9,476 votes after the seventh round. Officials from the Chief Electoral Office confirmed that counting will be held in a total of 26 rounds.
This by-election witnessed a record voter turnout of 83.45 percent among the 2.54 lakh electors who cast their ballots on November 11.
The bypoll was necessitated by the passing of four-time BJD MLA Rajendra Dholkia. His son, Jay Dholkia, joined the BJP in the run up to the election and was subsequently nominated as the party’s candidate. The BJD fielded former minister and Biju Mahila Janata Dal president Snehangini Chhuria, while tribal leader Ghasiram Majhi, who finished second as an Independent in 2024, contested this time on a Congress ticket.
Political analysts say the early trends strongly point toward a BJP victory, with Dholkia appearing poised to wrest the seat from the BJD. However, leaders from both the BJD and Congress remain cautiously optimistic, noting that 19 rounds of counting are still left.