Papa kehte hain bada naam karega, beta hamara aisa kaam karega.
This song from Amir Khan-starer Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak seems to be
the refrain of the leaders whose sons are contesting the upcoming elections in a bid to keep the family flag flying.
The leaders whose sons are contesting the election are also confident that their wards would negotiate the choppy waters of politics with ease and carry forward their legacy.
The sons, too, appear confident but they are greenhorns who need experience to win this battle.
Ankit Jena, the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) candidate from the Mahanga Assembly constituency of Cuttack district, told The Telegraph: “My father has brought a significant change in the constituency. I will try to keep up the good work. With the blessings of all, I will win the election with a huge margin.”
Ankit joined the electoral fray after the BJD denied a ticket to his father Pratap Jena, the former minister, as there is a murder-related case going on against him. Considering the clout of his father, Naveen Patnaik gave Ankit a chance to contest.
ML candidate from Patakura Arabinda Mohapatra (in yellow kurta). with his father Bijoy Mohapatra and Kendrapara BJD Lok Sabha candidate Anshuman Mohanty. The Telegraph
The father is leaving no stone unturned to ensure that his son comes out with flying colours.
“My son will win the assembly election by more than 90,000 votes. My son is doing his best,” said senior Jena.
BJD’s Kendrapara’s Lok Sabha candidate Anshuman Mohanty, son of late Nalinikanta Mohanty, a founding member of the BJD, said: “Whenever I visit any area, people shower their love and recall my father.”
Devi Ranjan Tripathy, the son of former MLA Pravat Tripathy, said: “My father is loved by the people for his commitment. I am also trying to follow the same course.”
Senior Tripathy, who is embroiled in a chit-fund case, said: “We have chalked out a broad-based plan. He will carry out the developmental works as per the plan.”
Souvic Biswal, the son of another stalwart Pravat Biswal who is facing the chit fund case, maintained that he would translate the dreams of his father of making his area into a developed area.
“With my father’s guidance, I am not facing any hurdles,” said Souvic.
Father Pravat Biswal said: “People have bestowed their love on my son.”
The other two sons — Siddharth Routray and Manmath Routray — of well-known leader Suresh Kumar Routray who was recently expelled from the Congress, are contesting the election.
While elder son Siddharth, who returned from the USA, is the Congress candidate from Nimapara Assembly constituency and younger son, Manmath Routray, a former pilot, is BJD’s candidate from the Bhubaneswar Lok Sabha.
“My father is an institution. Whenever I go for campaigning people consider me as if I am one of their relatives,” said Manmath.
Suresh Routraty said: “I would campaign for them as their father.”
Among other sons who are in the electoral fray are Biplab Patra, son of former speaker late Surya Naryan Patra, Rohit Joseph Trikey, son of tribal leader Gorge Tirkey and Kalikesh Singh Deo, Preeti Ranjan Ghadei, Arabinda Mohapatra, sons of former ministers — A.U. Singh Deo, Prafulla Ghadei and Bijoy Mohapatra respectively — to carry out the legacy of their fathers.
Samarendra Mishra, son of Congress leader Narasingha Mishra, Abhinandan, son of sitting BJP Kalahandi MP Basant Panda, Manoranjan and Rabindra, two sons of former Congress minister Chintamani Dyansamantray and Sagar Das, son of former MP Bhakta Charan Das are contesting to make their parents proud.