Everything is fair in love and war, so is in politics!
Electoral politics has been like a battle ground for political leaders with everyone trying to vanquish the other in order to safeguard the citadel.
The examples are closer home.
Election-motivated family tussles are being witnessed ahead of the three-tire Panchayat polls in the State. Many political leaders have fielding their family members to secure their hard-earned bastions.
Since 1960, Pangi family has been holding sway over Koraput politics and not surprisingly, the politically influential family is trying to maintain the legacy by fielding its' tbe new generation in the ensuing political battle, staring from February 16.
Jagat Jyoti Pangi and Ambika Pangi, son and daughter, respectively of former minister and MP Jayaram Pangi are contesting the polls for Zilla Parisha member from Pottangi and Samiti Member from Kotia region, respectively.
However, Ambika has won the position uncontested.
This is not the first foray of the brother-sister duo into the politics. Prior to this, Jagat Jyoti was the chairman of Pottangi Panchayat samiti while his sister was a Zilla Parishad member from Nandapur zone. The duo attributed their grandfather’s ideology and his father’s strategy to their success in politics.
“Our Family has been active in the politics since 1960. Our entire family is in the service of the people,” said Jagat Jyoti.
Similarly, Pranatkant, the youngest son of former minister and MLA Prafulla Samal is trying his luck in the political battle and contesting as a samiti member from Bayabanapur panchayat under Bhandaripokhari Block.
“My father is a three-time MLA and I have also won the political battle twice. I hope, people will allow us to serve them again,” said Pranatkant.
Dharamsala MLA Pranab Balabantaray’s brother Prabhat, Saraskana MLA Budhan Murmu’s wife, Champa Tudu are also trying their fortune in the political battle which will be held in five phases in the State.
On the other hand, election-motivated family tussles are being witnessed ahead of the three-tire panchayat polls.
Senior Congress leader Narasingha Mishra’s nephews and sister-in-laws are contesting against each other in polls.
While Mishra’s nephews Sidhartha Mishra and Smarak Mishra are contesting against each other for Samiti Member post from Pipirda Panchayat, the Congress leader’s sister-in-laws Jyotshnamayee Mishra and Gitarani Mishra will lock horns for Samiti member post from Chatakhaman Panchayat.
“In the last election he (Smarak) has contested against me, and this time also we will be fighting against each other. In democracy, we have to accept what the voters choose,” said Sidhartha Mishra.
“Victory and defeat are decided by the voters and we need to respect their decision,” said Smarak Mishra.