Bhubaneswar, April 18 -- The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has dropped as many as 10 heavyweight leaders and, instead, fielded their wives for the upcoming General Elections triggering speculations of encouraging dynasty politics and rehabilitating the wives of the leaders in the name of women empowerment.

The conch party has so far announced candidates for 126 Assembly seats. Of them, 28 are women, and, 10 of them are the wives of party heavyweights.

These women candidates include Subasini Jena, wife of former MP Rabindra Jena, Gitanjali Routray, wife of MLA Sambit Routray; Sanjukta Singh, wife of Rajanikant Singh; Pritilata Kanungo, wife of MLA Rajkishore Das; Anusuya Patra, wife of Ganeswar Patra; Indira Nanda, wife of Rabi Nanda; Sanghamitr...