Bhubaneswar, October 21 (). Odisha State Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari has said that the upcoming Nuapada by-election will be a completely issue-based election, in which voters will vote on the basis of the developmental performance of the previous and present governments.
He expressed confidence that the people of Nuapada will correct their mistake of the last general election and support the BJP this time.
Speaking to media persons, Pujari said, ‘By-elections are different from general elections. In general elections people vote to form the government. In by-elections, voters evaluate the performance of the previous government as well as the current government. This time, I believe that people will vote for development and associate themselves with the BJP-led governance and development process across the state.
He stressed that irrespective of the by-election results, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi will continue to lead the government and complete his tenure.
Pujari urged all political parties to focus on issue-based campaigning. He said, ‘Each party came forward with data and information about the work done for Nuapada during their respective tenures. BJP will also present details of the development work done in the last one and a half years.
He questioned the long tenure of Congress in Odisha and asked them to explain why the people of Nuapada are still facing unemployment and migration. Pujari said, ‘Despite ruling the state for 25 years, why are people migrating to neighboring districts for work? Congress should answer this.
Responding to allegations of rigging and pressure by opposition parties in candidate selection, Pujari dismissed them as ‘signs of panic’. “The opposition is making excuses every day as they prepare explanations for their defeat,” he said. They have not yet understood why they lost the 2024 general elections.
The minister claimed that the atmosphere at the grassroots level is clearly in favor of the BJP. He said, ‘During my visit to Nuapada I felt that people regret not voting for BJP in 2024. This time he has made up his mind to correct his mistake.
Pujari also raised questions as to why the opposition could not field a strong local candidate from Nuapada. He said, ‘This shows that they do not have any potential candidate in the district. So they have brought someone from a neighboring constituency.
—
ASH/VC
