Politicos lobbying hard for ‘son rise’

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Bhubaneswar: Amid hectic parleys for selection of candidates, it is being observed that leaders irrespective of parties are seeking tickets for their sons and daughters.
The trend already exists in BJD as Kalpataru Das had inducted his son Pranab Balabantaray into the party and he is now an MLA. Similarly, former BJD leader Prafulla Chandra Ghadei had left his political career for his son Priti Ranjan Ghadei, who is also a sitting legislator.
Now, many other BJD leaders like Loisingha MLA and former minister Jogendra Behera, minister Bijoyshree Routray and former minister Ananga Uday Singhdeo are lobbying for their sons in their places.
Behera along with his son Nihar Friday met BJD president Naveen Patnaik at his residence and urged him to give party ticket.
“I have gained enough political experience. Now, I am nearly 80 years old. So, I hope party will give ticket to my son in my place,” said Behera. Asked about what he will do if party will not give ticket, he said, “we will work for the BJD.”
Routray had earlier announced that he would not contest elections. Sources said that the BJD leader has paved the way for his son Bishnubrat for Basudevpur segment. Besides, Bhadrak MP Arjun Charan Sethi and local MLA Jugal Kishore Pattnaik are also in the same line. Both the leaders are seeking tickets for their sons.
Similarly, speculation is rife that AU Singhdeo has left the Bolangir assembly seat for his youngest son Arkesh. His eldest son Kalikesh is already in BJD and an MP from Bolangir.
This trend is also there in Congress party. According to sources in the party, leaders including its state president Niranjan Patnaik, Bhakta Charan Das, Leader of Opposition Narasingha Misha and Jaydev Jena are in the race to induct their sons into electoral politics in this election.
Besides, Congress leader late JB Patnaik’s son Prithvi Ballav Patnaik has shown interest in contesting the Assembly polls from Begunia, which his father had represented twice.
Such leaders are also there in the BJP. Former minister and senior BJP leader Biswabhusan Harichandan has already inducted his son Prithviraj Harichandan. But, Prithviraj unsuccessfully contested the last election from Bhubaneswar Lok Sabha seat.
Now, former chief minister and BJP leader Giridhar Gamang is lobbying for his son Shishir. The saffron party is actively considering Shishir’s candidature from an Assembly seat in Koraput.