Nuapada By-Election: Congress Emerges as BJP’s Lone Challenger Amid Rigging Allegations

Despite what it described as unprecedented irregularities and misuse of power, the Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) has hailed the Nuapada by-election as a turning point.

OPCC President Bhakta Charan Das announced that Congress has firmly positioned itself as the principal rival to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), securing over 40,000 votes and relegating the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) to third place.

Das alleged widespread malpractices, including vote rigging, excessive spending, and misuse of government machinery.

He pointed to unusually high voter turnout in 41 booths and questioned the role of senior police officials in the process. “We raised concerns about vote theft, but they demonstrated outright vote looting,” he said.

While the BJP avoided grassroots campaigning, Congress claimed to have run a transparent, democratic campaign, visiting every panchayat and drawing large crowds without financial inducements.

Das described the result as a historic achievement, elevating Congress to the role of the main opposition in Odisha after 25 years.

He also criticised the involvement of Odisha and Chhattisgarh Chief Ministers in campaigning, urging them instead to resolve the long-standing Mahanadi river dispute.

Accepting the BJP’s victory but rejecting the methods, Das vowed to expose electoral manipulations and hold the Election Commission accountable.

Congress candidate Ghasiram Majhi, praised as “clean and untainted,” secured second place, strengthening the party’s claim as the state’s primary alternative.

Das expressed gratitude to Nuapada voters and reiterated the party’s commitment to transparency and democratic values.