BJD Fields Snehangini Chhuria for Nuapada Bypoll
BJD president Naveen Patnaik described Chhuria as “a strong leader from Western Odisha who has always stood by the poor, the downtrodden, and women in particular.”
Bhubaneswar: In a late evening announcement on Wednesday, the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) named former minister Snehangini Chhuria as its official candidate for the upcoming Nuapada Assembly by-election, ending days of speculation over the party’s choice.
Announcing her candidature, BJD president Naveen Patnaik described Chhuria as “a strong leader from Western Odisha who has always stood by the poor, the downtrodden, and women in particular.”
“She has served with distinction in our ministry in the past, handling several important portfolios and issues. She has been a tremendous asset to the party. We have unanimously decided that she will contest the Nuapada bypoll as the BJD candidate. I congratulate her for her service to the people of Odisha, and I look forward to joining her campaign in Nuapada,” Patnaik said.
Expressing her gratitude, Chhuria said, “I am deeply thankful to Naveen Patnaik for reposing faith in me. I have always worked for the poor, women, and the marginalized, and will continue to do so. The people of Nuapada are my family, and I promise to stand with them through every hardship till my last breath.”
She urged voters to “bless the BJD so that it can continue to fight for justice and the welfare of the people.”
With the announcement, the battle lines for the high-stakes bypoll are now drawn. The Congress has fielded Ghasiram Majhi, while Jay Dholakia, son of late BJD MLA Rajendra Dholakia, is contesting on a BJP ticket.
