Copyright thehindu
Former Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday (November 3, 2025) accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of forming the government with “stolen votes.” Addressing his first election campaign since being unseated after a 24-year uninterrupted tenure as Chief Minister, at a rally in Nuapada district, Mr. Patnaik said, “the BJP had earlier formed the government by stealing votes. Now, the party has stolen a candidate.” The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) chief was referring to the BJP’s nomination of Jay Dholakia, son of former BJD Minister Rajendra Dholakia, whose death necessitated the bypoll in the Nuapada Assembly constituency. Mr. Jay Dholakia had joined the BJP and secured its nomination shortly before the announcement of the election dates. According to sources, he was earlier being considered by the BJD for the by-election. “This government has betrayed the people of Nuapada, the BJD, and even me. The people are angry with this betrayal. On November 11, the people of Nuapada will give a befitting reply through their votes,” Mr. Patnaik asserted. Attacking the Mohan Majhi government, the former Chief Minister alleged that development activities across the State had come to a halt over the past 16 months, while law and order had collapsed and crimes against women had risen sharply. “This government is a hero in false propaganda and zero in work. It is not a game-changer but a name-changer — a government busy only in rebranding welfare schemes,” he said. Mr. Patnaik also came down heavily on the State’s handling of welfare schemes, claiming that Mission Shakti women had not received their honorarium for eight months and were being denied access to loans. “Where are the 300 units of free electricity? Have all elderly people received ₹3,500 pension? Have 100 youths from every panchayat got jobs? Have farmers received urea fertilizer? Has distress sale of paddy stopped? Is the Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana — the universal health coverage scheme started by the BJD government — better or the Ayushman card?” he asked. The BJD is pinning high hopes on Mr. Patnaik’s campaign for the bypoll. In the 2024 elections, the veteran leader was criticised for his limited public appearances, which many believed contributed to the BJD’s defeat. He had then given a free hand to his close aide and former private secretary, V. K. Pandian, to lead the campaign.
