Bhubaneswar, April 24 -- Royal families have been involved in active politics in Odisha for long. Various political parties have also relied on the royal families to deliver good results in the elections. Whenever a party has formed a government in the State, importance has been given to the members of the royal families. Political parties always prefer to give tickets to the kings, kings' sons, daughters-in-law, grandsons and granddaughters over other candidates. Many members of royal families are also in the fray for the upcoming General Elections in Odisha.

A number of royal families have been involved in active politics in Ganjam for more than five decades now. Royal families from Khallikote, Chikiti, Digapahandi and Dharakote are al...