Bhubaneswar: Odisha’s Jatni Assembly constituency has warmed up to witness an interesting electoral battle with veteran Congress leader Suresh Routray’s elder son Siddharth Routray announcing that he would contest from the seat as an Independent candidate.
The seat has been the bastion of Congress with Sura Routray winning six elections from the Assembly segment. He has developed a strong support base for the party over the years through his service to the people and style of functioning.
After he announced not to participate in electoral battle, there were wide speculations about one of his sons succeeding him from Jatni. He had also announced in public in this regard. But his younger son Manmath Touray proved him wrong as he joined BJD which nominated him as its candidate for Bhubaneswar Lok Sabha seat.
While elder Routray’s supporters were looking forward to Siddharth to join Congress, the latter announced that he would contest from Jatni as an Independent giving credence to a power struggle within Routray family.
Speaking to media, Siddharth said he wanted to maintain equal distance from Congress and BJD. While BJD as ruling party has been neglecting the constituency, his father has not done justice to the people, he added.
“I will contest the Assembly elections as an Independent to rectify my father’s mistakes. I will not tolerate injustice to the people of my constituency. We had defeated the BJD in the last elections. I will repeat it this time as an Independent candidate,” he said.
It may be noted that Manmath will take on BJP’s firebrand sitting MP Aparajita Sarangi in Bhubaneswar in the dual elections in the state.
The elections will be held in 4 phases in Odisha on May 13, 20, 25 and June 1 as per the schedule announced by the Election Commission.
