Overview

• Snehangini Chhuria, a former minister and two-time Attabira MLA, was announced by BJD chief Naveen Patnaik as the party’s nominee.
• Patnaik praised Chhuria as a strong western Odisha leader who has focused on the poor, the downtrodden and women.
• Jay Dholakia, son of late BJD MLA Rajendra Dholakia and once seen as the likely BJD nominee, joined the BJP and is its candidate.
• Analysts cast the bypoll as a first electoral test for Chief Minister Majhi and a return to active campaigning for Patnaik as Leader of the Opposition.
• The Congress has named Ghasiram Majhi, completing a three-cornered contest in the Nuapada Assembly seat.