By quitting, Abhay takes moral high ground over Dushyant Chautala

Pradeep Sharma

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 1

Senior INLD leader Abhay Chautala seems to have taken a moral high ground over his arch political rival and Haryana Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala by resigning from the Haryana Assembly over the farm laws.

Besides, the decision seems to be a smart move to revive the INLD, which appears to have fallen on bad days, in the Haryana politics and emerge as the true inheritor of Devi Lal’s legacy.

The move may also put the JJP on the back foot whose seven of the 10 MLAs had vociferously demanded the repeal of the three farms laws.

Experts said by resigning from the Haryana Assembly, Abhay had apparently taken a lead over other politicians, who had merely been extending lip service to the farmers’ agitation. By being the first MLA to resign in favour of the protesting farmers, Abhay has sent the JJP and Congress MLAs in a tizzy.

Through the move, Abhay also hopes to revive the INLD’s political fortunes, which had been at the low ebb since 2019 Assembly elections.

Both INLD and the JJP had been claiming to be true inheritors of Devi Lal’s legacy since Abhay and his elder brother Ajay Chautala parted ways over two years back, with the latter forming the JJP.

The JJP emerged as the kingmaker after the 2019 Assembly polls and forged alliance with the BJP which fell short of five seats by winning 40 seats in the 90-member House.

Meanwhile, Abhay said the people would force their MLAs to resign, with the farmers’ agitation picking up momentum with each passing day.