Bhubaneswar: The distribution of tickets is increasingly becoming a family affair for the Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) as yet another senior Congress leader Ananta Sethi Friday joined the group of leaders, whose family got two tickets this time.
The All India Congress Committee (AICC) has nominated Sethi to contest Simulia Assembly segment. Earlier, the party has fielded his daughter Madhusmita Sethi from Bhadrak LS seat.
Though the Congress party had made it clear earlier that it would give one ticket to one family, it appeared to be just an eyewash. The party has given two tickets to the families of four of its leaders.
OPCC chief Niranjan Patnaik has fielded his nominations for Ghasipura Assembly seat and announced to contest from another seat- Bhandaripokhari while his son Navajyoti is the Congress’ Lok Sabha candidate from Balasore seat.
Three other prominent Congress leaders are also in the fray with their sons this time. Former MP Bhakta Charan Das has been fielded by the party from the Kalahandi Lok Sabha constituency while his son Sagar Charan Das is making his debut on the party ticket from the Bhawanipatna Assembly seat.
Similarly, Narasingha Mishra and his son Samarendra are also in the group. While Narasingha, a former law minister and leader of opposition in the Assembly, is fighting to retain the Bolangir Assembly seat, his son is trying his luck in Bolangir Lok Sabha seat.
Newcomer George Tirkey and his son Rohit Joseph have got two tickets. George is contesting the Sundargarh (ST) Lok Sabha seat while Rohit has been fielded by the party from Biramitrapur (ST) Assembly seat, presently held by his father.
Besides, senior Congress leader and former PCC president Prasad Harichandan is the MLA candidate from Satyabadi whereas his father in-law Suresh Routray is contesting Jatni Assembly seat.