Rajendra Shekhawat, President Pratibha Patil's son
As the Maharashtra assembly elections approach, political dynasty is rearing its head in the Congress. Sons and daughters of top politicians are pushing for a political debut including the children of President Pratibha Patil and Union Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh.
President Pratibha Patil's son, Rajendra Shekhawat has thrown his hat in the electoral ring and wants to the contest the polls from Amravati assembly constituency - a seat his mother Pratibha Patil once held as an MP. It is believed that the move has upset the sitting MLA Sunil Deshmukh.
"I have applied for the second time to the parliamentary board. That itself shows I am applying like a commoner," said Shekhawat.
Responding to this, PWD minister Sunil Deshmukh said: "Just because someone lives in a constituency for a few months, how can he stake claim to it."
Shekawat is not the only political heir in the Congress lining up for a debut. Union Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh's son Amit Deshmukh wants to contest from his father's bastion Latur.
Nitesh Rane, son of Maharashtra Industries Minister Narayan Rane, is said to be eyeing a seat in the Konkan. His other son Nilesh is already an MP from Ratnagiri-Sindhudurg in Maharashtra.
Also, Union Power Minister Sushilkumar Shinde's daughter Praniti has 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,'' said Shinde.
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.