Is BJP Preparing to Nominate Jay Dholakia for Nuapada Bypoll?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- The BJP is likely to nominate Jay Dholakia for the Nuapada bye-election.
- A significant rally is planned for October 16 with high attendance expected.
- There are no internal conflicts regarding Dholakia's candidacy within the BJP.
- The bye-election is set for November 11, with vote counting on November 14.
- The Congress party has named its candidate for the bye-election.
Bhubaneswar, Oct 14 (NationPress) Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Sujeet Kumar announced on Tuesday that the party is expected to nominate Jay Dholakia, the son of former Odisha Minister and late Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leader Rajendra Dholakia, as its candidate for the upcoming bye-election in the Nuapada Assembly constituency.
During a media briefing, the BJP MP indicated that the party would likely confirm Dholakia's candidacy by Tuesday evening.
He also mentioned that Dholakia plans to submit his nomination on October 16.
"I, along with Ministers, MLAs, and MPs from the party, will certainly camp in Nuapada and engage in the campaign, which will be spearheaded by the Chief Minister himself. A significant joining event will take place in Nuapada on October 16, where over 2,000 workers and leaders from the BJD and Congress will join the BJP, expressing their confidence in the leadership and policies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi. We will also file the nominations on that day," Kumar stated.
He further noted that more than 40,000 BJP supporters are expected to participate in the rally in Nuapada on October 16.
Chief Minister Majhi, Odisha BJP President Manmohan Samal, and other senior leaders from the party will be in attendance.
In response to concerns regarding dissatisfaction among BJP members regarding Dholakia's candidacy, Kumar asserted that there are no factions within the party and all members are committed to working together for the party's success.
He expressed confidence that the BJP would secure a bye-election victory by a margin exceeding 50,000 votes.
The Election Commission of India issued a gazette notification on Monday outlining the election schedule for the Nuapada Assembly bye-elections.
The seat became vacant following the passing of Rajendra Dholakia on September 8.
Nominations opened on Monday, and candidates can submit their applications until October 20, which is the deadline for filing.
Nomination scrutiny will take place on October 22, and candidates have until October 24 to withdraw their nominations.
The bye-election for the Nuapada Assembly seat is set for November 11, with vote counting scheduled for November 14.
In the meantime, the Congress party has announced veteran tribal leader Balabhadra Majhi as its candidate for the Nuapada bye-election, while the BJP and BJD have yet to reveal their candidates' names.