Sat Oct 11 17:41:24 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the text and a rewrite as a news article:

**Summary:**

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Odisha received a significant boost as Jay Dholakia, son of the late Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MLA Rajendra Dholakia, joined the party. Rajendra Dholakia’s death necessitated a bypoll in the Nuapada Assembly constituency. The BJP is likely to nominate Jay Dholakia as their candidate for the November 14 bypoll. This move is a strategic victory for the BJP, potentially undermining the BJD’s influence in the region and representing a critical first electoral test for the party after their recent Assembly election victory. While the BJP and BJD haven’t officially announced candidates, the Congress has already nominated Ghasiram Majhi.

**News Article:**

**BJP Lands Blow to BJD as Dholakia’s Son Switches Sides Ahead of Crucial Odisha Bypoll**

**BHUBANESWAR, Odisha – October 11, 2025** – In a stunning turn of events, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has scored a major political victory in Odisha with the defection of Jay Dholakia, son of the late Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MLA Rajendra Dholakia, whose passing triggered a by-election in the Nuapada Assembly constituency. The move casts a shadow over the upcoming bypoll, scheduled for November 14th, and potentially upends the political landscape of the region.

Jay Dholakia was formally inducted into the BJP today at the party’s state office, where he was greeted by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Deputy Chief Minister K. V. Singh Deo, and State BJP president Manmohan Samal, highlighting the significance the party places on this development. The BJP is widely expected to nominate Dholakia as their candidate for the Nuapada seat.

“Former Minister Rajendra Dholakia had many opponents based on ideological grounds, but he did not have any enemies,” remarked Chief Minister Majhi, hinting at Jay’s potential candidacy.

Political analysts see Dholakia’s defection as a strategic coup for the BJP. “The forthcoming bypoll marks the first electoral test for the saffron party after its surprise victory in the 2024 Assembly elections,” explained Rabi Das, a senior journalist. “A loss here would discredit the current State leadership before national leadership.”

Sources within the BJD confirmed they attempted to dissuade Dholakia from switching parties, given his family’s long-standing influence in the Nuapada district bordering Chhattisgarh, where the Dholakia family has long held considerable sway.

“Till late Friday night, Mr. Jay was in touch with us. However, he did not turn up this morning,” a top BJD leader said.

While the BJP and BJD are yet to officially announce their candidates, Dholakia’s entry into the race has complicated matters, reportedly causing friction within the BJP as well. Former MP Basant Panda’s son, Abhinandan Panda, was also vying for the nomination.

Meanwhile, the Congress party has already declared Ghasiram Majhi as their candidate for the Nuapada bypoll, setting the stage for a potentially fierce three-way contest. The results of the November 14th election will be closely watched as a bellwether of the shifting political dynamics in Odisha.

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