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Journalism of Courage
It8217;s a dynasty in the making. The backward, tribal-dominated Koraput constituency is in the news because of its Congress candidate, Hemabati Gamang, wife of Chief Minister Giridhar Gamang. The Chief Minister, who represented the constituency in the Lok Sabha for eight times in a row, has fielded his wife this time to keep the seat within his family despite opposition from the party.
Hemabati is not an unknown face to the voters since she used to accompany her husband during campaigning in the past. A defeat for her here will further weaken the position of Gamang, who is under fire from the Opposition and a section of the Congress for the deteriorating law and order situation in the state.
Ranjib Biswal, son of water resources minister Basant Kumar Biswal, is the fray for the third time in a row from the Jagatsinghpur Lok Sabha constituency. He is aiming for a hat-trick this time.
Other high-profile sons and relatives who have entered the electoral arena include Tathagat Satpathy, Biju Janata Dal BJD candidate from Dhenkanal. However, Tathagat8217;s mother and former chief minister Nandini Satpathy is in the Congress. Political observers say the Satpathy family8217;s support base in Dhenkanal will come in handy for Tathagat, who represented the seat in the 12th Lok Sabha.
The Congress has also fielded Subhankar Mahapatra, son of ex-AICC General Secretary Late S S Mahapatra, from Balasore. Besides, Chandrasekhar Majhi, Congress candidate from the Nowrangpur seat, is the younger brother of Basudev Majhi, Congress MLA from Kotpad.
