BJD fails to retain its stronghold in Nuapada

The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) failed to defend its long-held political stronghold in the Nuapada Assembly by-election, despite an intensive campaign led by party candidate Snehangini Chhuria.

- POST NEWS NETWORK

Chhuria, who entered the electoral field with confidence and campaigned door to door with party leaders, workers and supporters, secured 38,408 votes, finishing in third place. Nuapada, considered a BJD bastion, had earlier elected the late Rajendra Dholakia as MLA three times on a BJD ticket.

Former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik visited the constituency twice during the campaign, and several heavyweight leaders from the coastal region also spent days coordi-