"BJP, Congress stand no chance": BJD leader Dibya Shankar Mishra on Nuapada by-poll

Bhubaneswar (Odisha) [India], October 12 (ANI): BJD leader Dibya Shankar Mishra has criticised the BJP for fielding Rajendra Dholakia's son in the Nuapada Assembly constituency by-election set to be held on November 11, following his father's demise. Mishra alleged that this move is an example of "horse trading" and "political corruption."
Mishra claimed that the BJP's decision to field Jay Dholakia is unethical, especially after he had promised to support the BJD leadership.
Speaking on Jay Dholakia joining the BJP, he said, "Rajendra Dholakia was more of a social worker... So after his demise, his son promised that he believes in the leadership of Navin Patnaik... Now that he has joined the BJP, it has been a totally unethical practice, and I believe there is strong political corruption... They have done this horse trading earlier also in our Rajeshwara..."
Mishra expressed confidence in the BJD's candidate, stating that the party has strong candidates and the people of Nuapada have consistently voted for the BJD.
"We have strong candidates from the BJD. BJP didn't have any candidate, which is why they took Jay Dholkia from BJD to BJP. BJP and Congress will stand no chance; the people of Nuapada have voted for BJD time and again," he stated to ANI.
Meanwhile, on Monday, the Election Commission of India (ECI) announced that by-elections for eight assembly constituencies across seven states and Union Territories will take place on November 11.
The counting of votes for the by-election is scheduled for November 14. These by-elections are being held to fill vacancies caused by various reasons such as resignations, deaths, or disqualifications.
The by-elections will take place in Jammu and Kashmir's Budgam and Nagrota districts, Rajasthan's Anta district, Jharkhand's Ghatshila district, Telangana's Jubilee Hills district, Punjab's Tarn Taran district, Mizoram's Dampa district, and Odisha's Nuapada district.
Voters will be required to present their Electoral Photo Identity Cards (EPICs) as the primary identification document at polling booths.
According to the official statement from Election Commission, the Model Code of Conduct shall come into force with immediate effect in the district(s) in which the whole or any part of the Assembly constituency going for election is included, subject to provision of the instruction vide Commission's letter No. 437/6/1NST/ECI/FUNCT/MCC/2024/(BYE ELECTIONS) dated 02nd January, 2024 (available on the Commission's website).
Earlier in the day, the Election Commission also announced the schedule for the Bihar Assembly elections. The 243 Assembly seats will go to the polls in two phases on November 6 and November 11, with counting of votes to be held on November 14.
The 243 Assembly seats in Bihar will go to the polls in two phases on November 6 and November 11, with the counting of votes scheduled for November 14. (ANI)