Nuapada (Odisha), Oct 24 – The Nuapada assembly byelection sees major political parties, including the BJP, BJD, and Congress, vying for the support of tribal voters, who make up over 33% of the constituency’s electorate.

The Congress has nominated Ghasiram Majhi, a local tribal figure, while the BJD has chosen Snehangini Chhuria from the Scheduled Caste community. The BJP candidate, Jay Dholakia, is from the general category.

In the previous 2024 Assembly elections, BJD’s Rajendra Dholakia secured the seat, defeating Ghasiram Majhi, who ran as an Independent after being denied a Congress ticket. The BJP candidate finished third.

Recognizing the significant influence of tribal voters, all parties have devised targeted strategies. Tribals represent 33.80% of the 2.53 lakh electorate in Nuapada. The BJD held a Tribal Convention at Adivasi Samaj Bhawan, Tanuat, Nuapada, where numerous tribal leaders and community members expressed their support for the BJD candidate, according to BJD senior vice president Debi Prasad Mishra. He emphasized Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s commitment to education, health, livelihood, and social justice for tribal populations.

During the convention, BJD candidate Snehangini Chhuria raised concerns about the worsening conditions for tribals under the current BJP government, citing increased violence and exploitation, including sexual assault incidents in tribal school hostels. She pledged that the BJD would advocate for the dignity, safety, and rights of tribal people.

The BJD has also reinstated prominent tribal leader Bhanu Pratap Singh Majhi, a Zilla Parishad member, who was expelled in 2024 for opposing the official candidate.

The BJP, fielding the son of the late BJD MLA Rajendra Dholakia, Jay, has implemented various initiatives to attract tribal voters. The party highlights the elevation of tribal leaders, such as Mohan Charan Majhi as chief minister and Droupadi Murmu as President of India. BJP leaders point to Odisha’s Sundergarh MP Jual Oram, a tribal, serving as Union Minister for Tribal Affairs.

BJP spokesperson Anil Biswal noted that former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee established a separate Tribal Affairs ministry for community welfare, with current PM Narendra Modi introducing several tribal welfare schemes. He asserted that tribal voters now recognize their true allies, having turned away from both Congress and BJD.

Prominent tribal leader Bhujabal Adabang, who garnered 5,655 votes as an Independent in the 2024 Assembly elections, joined the BJP on Wednesday, enhancing the party’s prospects ahead of the byelections.

Congress candidate Ghasiram Majhi, also from the tribal community, expressed confidence in receiving continued support from tribal voters, asserting that nominating a tribal candidate demonstrates Congress’s commitment to the community. He criticized both the BJD and BJP for their historical neglect of tribal issues.

To engage tribal voters, Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) president Bhakta Charan Das participated in Giri Govardhan Puja at Tarbod village, Nuapada, alongside candidate Ghasiram Majhi. Das stated that tribal voters have consistently supported Congress and are determined to elect a community member to the Assembly to advocate for their interests.