Bhubaneswar, Oct. 14 -- The Naveen Patnaik-led Biju Janata Dal (BJD) is likely to field senior party leader Manoj Mishra as its candidate for the upcoming Nuapada by-election, sources said on Tuesday. The reports also added that the final decision has already been made internally, with only the formal announcement pending.

Manoj Mishra, who earlier served as the BJD's Nuapada district president, has reportedly received the party's approval to contest the crucial bypoll.

Currently, the general secretary of BJD, Mishra, has also served twice as the chairman of the Komna block. His long-standing organisational experience and strong local connections are believed to have helped him secure the party's confidence.

The decision comes as part ...