BJP, Congress, BJD line up star campaigners ahead of Nuapada Bypoll in Odisha

The quiet town of Nuapada in western Odisha is set to witness a high-profile and closely contested bypoll ahead of the November 11 election, with major political parties deploying heavyweight leaders and celebrity-politicians to appeal to voters.

The bypoll was necessitated following the death of sitting BJD MLA Rajendra Dholakia on September 8, 2025. Nuapada has over 2.53 lakh registered voters, making the election a key test for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Biju Janata Dal (BJD), and Indian National Congress.

The BJP has fielded Jay Dholakia, son of the late MLA Rajendra Dholakia, while the BJD has nominated its women's wing president Snehangini Chhuria. The Congress has selected veteran leader Ghasiram Majhi as its candidate.

Star campaigners from all three parties have been mobilised to maximise voter outreach. The BJP will be represented by Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Chhattisgarh CM Vishnu Deo Sai, and Union ministers Dharmendra Pradhan, Ashwini Vaishnaw, and Jual Oram. Odisha Deputy Chief Ministers KV Singh Deo and Pravati Parida will also campaign for the BJP candidate.

The BJD’s campaign will see former Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik participate, while the Congress will field Telangana CM A Revanth Reddy, former CMs Giridhar Gamang and Bhupesh Baghel, Rajasthan ex-deputy CM Sachin Pilot, Telangana Deputy CM Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, and party general secretary Ajay Kumar Lallu, alongside leaders of the Congress women, youth, and student wings – Alka Lamba, Uday Bhanu Chib, and Varun Choudhury.

Notably, celebrity-politicians such as actors Sidhant Mahapatra, Anubhav Mohanty, and Akash Das Nayak, all previously associated with the BJD, will campaign for the BJP, adding visibility and appeal to the election.

The campaign is expected to gain full momentum after Diwali and the closure of nominations on October 20, 2025. Political analysts say the bypoll will serve as an early indicator of party strength and voter sentiment in western Odisha ahead of the upcoming assembly elections.