Stung by the BJP’s “coup” of a key face ahead of the Nuapada bypoll, the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) Wednesday named former minister Snehangini Chhuria as its candidate for the November 11 bypoll .

Before announcing her name after a meeting with senior leaders, BJD chief Naveen Patnaik said Chhuria was a “strong leader from western Odisha” who had held important portfolios in his government. The announcement came days after the party suffered a setback when Jay Dholakia, son of the late BJD MLA Rajendra Dholakia and its likely candidate, joined the BJP on Saturday.

Jay, whose father’s death necessitated the bypoll, is now the BJP’s candidate.

“She has always fought for the poor and women and has been a tremendous asset to the party. Therefore, we have concluded in our party that she wil

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