After the virtual retirement of some veteran political leaders, their sons have been fielded by different political parties in their respective bastions for the upcoming General Elections in Odisha. Despite parting ways from electoral politics, many stalwarts are leaving no stone unturned to rally support for their sons.
Take the case of veteran Congress leader Narasingha Mishra, who is campaigning for his son Samarendra, contesting from the Bolangir Assembly seat. As per reports, Narasingha is attending all the meetings held in rural and urban areas to request people to vote for his son.
“As I have been actively involved in various developmental activities in the constituency, I don’t feel I am doing any kind of hard work during the campaigning. I would have joined the campaigning for any candidate of Congress. As my son is contesting the election, I have intensified the campaigning,” said Narasingha.
Samarendra himself has also admitted that his confidence has been bolstered with his father joining the poll campaign with him.
“While the BJD is begging for votes in the name of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, BJP is requesting people for votes in the name of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. However, I am approaching people to vote for me in the name of my father. My father has worked very hard for the development of the constituency. I have an aim to emulate my father. I am confident that people will bless me,” said Samarendra.
On the other hand, following the retirement of Ananga Udaya Singh Deo from electoral politics in 2019, his elder son Kalikesh Narayan Singh Deo will now contest from the Bolangir Sadar Assembly seat on a BJD ticket. Ananga Udaya is reportedly campaigning day and night with his son Kalikesh without caring for the scorching heat. He is joining various party meetings to urge people to vote for his son. He is also seeking blessings by visiting various temples in the region.
“My father has a positive influence in the constituency. People love him and have sympathy for him. With my father’s blessings and love from people I am hopeful of registering victory in the upcoming election,” said Kalikesh.
“I am confident that the people of Bolangir and the Goddess will help my son emerge winner,” said Ananga Udaya.
Similarly, BJP stalwart and Kalahandi MP Basant Panda has started intense campaigning for his son Abhinandan in the Nuapada constituency.
“I am so happy that my father is approaching the voters for me. I request all the people to vote for the BJP,” said Abhinandan.
“I am proud of my son as he has many virtues. I pray before God to bless him to come off with flying colours in the upcoming election,” said Basant.
Meanwhile, tribal leader George Tirkey has joined the campaigning with full intensity for his son Rohit Joseph Tirkey who is contesting the Assembly election from Biramitrapur seat on BJD ticket.
Similarly, former Minister Managala Kisan has been engaged in door-to-door campaigning for his son Anil Barua who is fighting from the Rajgangpur Assembly seat on BJD ticket.
Now, it remains to be seen how much preference the sons will get from the voters like their stalwart fathers.