Bhubaneswar: Putting all speculation to rest, senior Congress leader Jatni MLA Suresh Kumar Routray has announced his youngest son Manmath Routray as his political heir apparent.
Manmath, who works with Air India, had contributed immensely to his father’s campaigning during 2019 Assembly elections in Odisha. However, presence of his elder son, Sidhart, at Congress Bhawan on the party’s foundation day celebrations had triggered speculation about him joining politics.
“My son Manmath is looking after everything while my elder son is away now. I am sure that he (Manmath) will do good works and serve people well,” he told mediapersons.
Manmath had earlier told that he had never seen his father as a politician. He was a social activist and his style of functioning was an inspiration for youngsters, he had added.
Manmath further said that he had learnt a lot while assisting father in devising strategy in the last two polls.
“My father always advised me to focus on career and stay away from politics. But, we will now work for the next four years with people and they will take a final call,” he was quoted as saying by local media.