Nuapada: As high-voltage campaigning continues for the Nuapada Assembly by-election, a significant political development has drawn attention — the Income Tax Department reportedly conducted a raid on Saturday at the residence of Mohammad Junaid, former Khariar Road Nagar Congress president and recently inducted Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leader.
Junaid, a well-known Muslim leader in Nuapada district and a long-time Congress functionary, had officially joined the BJD on Friday during a public meeting at Parkod, in the presence of former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and senior party leaders. Over a hundred of his supporters also switched allegiance to the BJD during the event.
Speaking at the meeting, Junaid said, “I had been working dedicatedly for the Congress for over 17 years, but the party becomes active only during elections. It has no real connection with the people. I have long been inspired by the leadership and ideals of Naveen Patnaik, under whose governance Odisha has witnessed unprecedented development. He is an unparalleled leader in the country.”
The timing of the IT raid, coming just a day after Junaid’s formal induction into the BJD, has generated considerable political buzz in the region. However, there has been no official confirmation from the Income Tax Department regarding the details of the raid or any findings.
Meanwhile, campaigning for the November 11 bypoll has intensified, with all three major political parties — the BJP, BJD, and Congress — making a last-ditch effort to woo voters ahead of the crucial election.
