Nuapada: With the deadline for withdrawal of nominations ending today, not a single candidate has withdrawn from the Nuapada Assembly by-election, confirming that 14 candidates will be in the fray when voters go to the polls on October 24.
The window for candidates to withdraw nominations remained open from 11 AM to 3 PM today, after which the final list of contestants was announced.
Among the prominent candidates are Jay Dholakia from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Snehangini Chhuria from the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), and Ghasiram Majhi representing the Indian National Congress.
Additionally, three other political parties have fielded candidates — Ramakanta Hati of the Samajwadi Party, Hemant Tandi of the Bahujan Mukti Party, and Shukadhar Dandasena of the Odisha Janata Dal.
The remaining eight candidates are contesting as independents. They include Ashraya Mahanand, Chakrant Jena, Bhuban Lal Sahu, Kishor Kumar Bag, Neeta Bag, Lakshmi Kant Tandi, Bhakta Bandhu Dhurua, and Lochana Majhi.
With a diverse field of candidates from major parties and independent contenders, the Nuapada by-election is expected to witness a multi-cornered contest.
