The rising of sons of senior political leaders in Jajpur district in the ensuing polls are a major political issue in the district.  In Jajpur, Sukinda, Badachana  and  Dharamasala Assembly seats, sons of four veteran leaders are contesting on BJD tickets.

Their fathers were MlAs and now sons are their political heirs. In Sukinda Assembly segment, sitting BJD MlA and former Minister Prafulla Chandra Ghadai was denied a ticket by the BJD to contest in the elections, but his son Pritiranjan Ghadai was given the ticket by the ruling party in his father’s forte to fight against Congress candidate Sarat Rout.

BJD leader and Rajya Sabha member Kalpataru Das persuaded BJD State president Naveen Patnaik to give a party ticket to his son Pranab Balabantray from Dharmasala seat also.“I was an MlA of Dharmasala. But since I was elected to the Rajya Sabha, I decided to hand over the baton to my son Pranab Balabantray. I have full confidence that he will win the polls,” said Das “My father did many developmental works and has a good base in the locality which will add to my advantage,” said Pranab.

Rajnarayan Mohapatra (37), a former pilot of a private airline, is contesting as an Independent from Badachana Assembly segment. Mohapatra is the son of former Badachana MlA Sitakanta Mohapatra. “I did hard work to develop Badachana area. My father Sitakanta Mohapatra urged me to contest the polls as the Congress denied me ticket. My father is canvassing in my favour for which I will win the elections,” said Rajnarayan.

Pranab Prakash Das, son of the late veteran leader Ashok Das, is contesting from Jajpur Assembly seat.  Pranab had been elected from Jajpur Assembly segment in the last elections.“My father has huge influence on the voters. Being his political heir, I am confident that I will win the elections comfortably,” said Pranab.