All eyes on INLD's 'Samman Rally' in Rohtak

The INLD will hold its 'Samman Rally' in Rohtak to commemorate the birth anniversary of former Deputy PM Devi Lal tomorrow. The rally is being widely viewed as a show of strength by the INLD in the stronghold of a former CM, Bhupinder Singh Hooda. It is also seen as a crucial attempt by the INLD to reclaim its foothold in the region.

“Among those who have confirmed they will attend the rally are SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal, J&K Deputy CM Surinder Kumar Choudhary, Rajasthan MP Hanuman Beniwal, and daughter of K Chandrashekar Rao (the first CM of Telangana) K Kavitha,” said INLD national president Abhay Chautala, adding that Congress leader Sampat Singh will also be present.

The rally is expected to witness the presence of several other prominent leaders, though the INLD is keeping information about former Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar's presence at the rally under wraps.

Though the INLD organises a major event every year on September 25, this year’s rally will be the first since the passing of its former supremo, Om Prakash Chautala, who died in December last year.

It becomes imperative for Abhay that the rally is a success, especially since this is the first "big" programme under his stewardship. The crowds at the rally will decide if he has been able to establish himself as the successor of the Chautala legacy.

Given this, Abhay is sparing no effort to ensure a massive turnout, aiming to make it a grand success by touring various districts.

While a number of leaders from other parties have joined the INLD, sources said the party was in touch with some other Jat leaders who, disappointed with the failure of the Congress to form the government in the state, could join the INLD tomorrow.

“The rally holds significance for Abhay. It is being organised for the first time in the absence of Om Prakash Chautala, and he understands that without regaining the INLD’s lost ground in the Rohtak region, he cannot hope to play a decisive role in forming a future government,” said Dr Satish Tyagi, a political observer.

“A major section of the Jat community, traditionally the core vote bank of the INLD, shifted its support to Bhupinder Hooda following the party’s split. So, the rally is an effort by the INLD to reclaim its lost ground. Devi Lal contested the Lok Sabha elections from Rohtak multiple times, and the INLD had a good presence in the region, including elected MLAs, before Hooda became CM,” he added.

On the other hand, INLD-splinter group JJP is holding district-level programmes across the state to mark the anniversary. The JJP is led by Abhay’s elder brother Ajay Chautala.