Congress Unleashes 40-Star Brigade for Nuapada Bypoll Battle
Nuapada, October 17, 2025 — In a bold bid to reclaim lost ground in Odisha, the All India Congress Committee (AICC) has unveiled a powerhouse lineup of 40 star campaigners for the upcoming bye-election in the 71-Nuapada Assembly Constituency.
The move signals Congress’s intent to mount a high-voltage campaign in the tribal heartland, where the party hopes to capitalise on anti-incumbency and revive its regional fortunes.
The bypoll, scheduled for November 20, was triggered by the resignation of the sitting MLA and is shaping up to be a three-way contest between Congress, BJP, and BJD. With tribal welfare, rural development, and governance fatigue emerging as key voter concerns, Congress is banking on its national and regional stalwarts to energise the electorate.
The campaigners—ranging from former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel and Rajasthan’s Sachin Pilot to Odisha veterans like Niranjan Pattnaik and Narasingha Mishra—will hit the ground next week.
Their outreach will span rallies, corner meetings, and door-to-door canvassing across the 1.2 lakh-strong constituency.
Political observers predict a nail-biting contest in the mineral-rich, Naxal-affected region. Whether Congress’s celebrity brigade can convert star power into votes remains to be seen, but the party’s aggressive push has certainly raised the stakes.
