As campaigning by political parties for the 2024 elections in Odisha is intensifying, some candidates in the fray are seen accompanied by their family members on the field, canvassing for votes.
In the Bhadrak Assembly seat, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate, Sitansu Sekhar Mohapatra has been organizing rallies, meetings and door-to-door visits. He is seen with his wife Amruta Mohapatra, who has been trying her level best to garner votes in favour of her husband.
'Women's safety and empowerment matter'
Amruta said, "During the campaigning, I am asking women about what benefits they have got and what they have not. I am convincing women about their safety, income and livelihood. They are requested to vote for the BJP.”
Let’s turn focus to the Jeypore Assembly seat where senior Congress leader and MLA candidate Taraprasad Bahinipati has been playing to the gallery with the support of his son Jyotiram and nephew Anubhav.
Jyotiram, who is engaged in a job in Ireland, is on leave and has been seeking votes for his father. He is being accompanied by his cousin Anubhav, who is working in Dubai.
Thrust on the digital campaign
Jyotiram said, "We are a joint family. We have our duties to contribute to the victory of my father. My father’s simple agenda is development. We are working on how the campaign can be managed digitally. Anyway, he is going to win.”
Anubhab has taken a long leave especially to dedicate his time to canvass for his elder uncle Taraprasad. Both are looking after the campaign and poll management for the veteran leader.
Leaving no stone unturned
In the same seat, the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has given a ticket to Indira Nanda, wife of former legislator Rabi Nanda. The ex-legislator along with his two sons – Aditya and Bijay Swarup is leaving no stone unturned to garner votes for Indira, who is new to politics.
Bijay Swarup said, "I am happy that everyone's support is with my mother. We are spending time at the management cell and visiting villages. We are calling 1500 to 2000 people daily through call centres.”
In the Dhenkanal Assembly seat, BJD candidate Sudhir Samal has mounted an intense campaign with the help of his son Jagdish and nephew Abinash. Incidentally, Abinash is also fighting the poll as BJD’s MP nominee from the Dhenkanal parliamentary seat.
Jagdish is visiting houses seeking votes for his father and his cousin.
In the prestigious Bhubaneswar Lok Sabha seat, BJP candidate Aparajita Sarangi’s son Sikhar Sarangi and his friends have come from New Delhi to campaign for her. Taking to her x handle, Aparajita wrote that Sikhar would be present at her nomination filing.