Naveen Patnaik, the BJD president, announced Snehangini Chhuria as the candidate for the Nuapada Assembly bypoll on Wednesday. The Nuapada contest has drawn attention from all three major parties. For the BJP, it serves as Chief Minister Majhi’s crucial first electoral test following the party’s unexpected 2024 Assembly victory. Meanwhile, it represents BJD leader Naveen Patnaik’s significant return to active campaigning as Leader of the Opposition, marking his first such role after 24 years in office.
While announcing the candidate, Naveen Patnaik said, “ I wish to declare that Snehangini Chhuria, a strong leader from western Odisha, who has served in our BJD ministry in the past and also served in many important portfolios. She always fought for the poor and downtrodden, and women in particular. We have concluded in our party that she will be the candidate from BJD for the by-elections in Nuapada.”
Notably, BJD found itself in trouble after Jay Dholakia, son of the late sitting BJD MLA Rajendra Dholakia and once seen as its probable candidate for the bypoll, joined the BJP and is now the saffron party’s candidate for the bypoll.
Who is Snehangini Chhuria?
Snehangini Chhuria is a former minister and two-time MLA from the Attabira Assembly constituency in Odisha. The last election for the Attabira seat took place in June 2024, where Chhuria lost.
(With PTI Inputs)