Congress faces dynastic dilemma in Maharashtra

Mumbai: As the Maharashtra Assembly elections approach, political dynasty is rearing its head in the Congress as sons and daughters of top politicians are pushing  for a political debut.

This includes Rajendra Shekhawat, son of President Pratibha Patil, who has thrown his hat in the electoral ring.

Shekhawat wants to contest the polls from Amravati, a seat his mother once held as an MP.

"I have applied for the second time to the parliamentary board. That itself shows I am applying like a commoner," Shekhawat said.

But the move has upset the sitting MLA and Congress minister Sunil Deshmukh.

"Just because someone lives in a constituency for a few months, how can he stake claim to it?" he said.

But Shekawat is not the only political heir in the Congress lining up for a debut:

• Amit Deshmukh Vilasrao Deshmukh's son, wants to contest from his father's bastion Latur

• Nitesh Rane, son of Industries Minister Narayan Rane, is said to be eyeing a seat in the Konkan

• Rane's other son Nilesh is already an MP

• And Sushilkumar Shinde's daughter Praniti has also applied for a seat from her father's base Solapur

The Congress has a long tradition of political dynasty, but the question is will the party go along with its sons and daughters formula or allow someone without political lineage.

"Yes my daughter has applied, but the high command will decide," Shinde said.

The Congress may be the most visible face of political dynasty, but it cuts across party lines as more and more sons and daughter vie for a spot in the sun.