Dhankhar may attend Devi Lal’s anniversary event, says Abhay

The INLD is preparing for a grand celebration of the 112th birth anniversary of its founder and former Deputy Prime Minister Devi Lal in Rohtak on September 25.

Calling it the party’s “biggest-ever birth anniversary celebration,” INLD leader Abhay Singh Chautala said the event would mark the beginning of the outfit’s renewed push to regain ground in the Jat heartland, from where Devi Lal had contested three Lok Sabha elections against Congress stalwart Bhupinder Singh Hooda.

Speculation is rife that former Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar may attend the event, given his close association with Devi Lal. Asked about it, Abhay Chautala said: “I don’t know whether he will attend or not. I have not met him as yet.”

However, reports that Dhankhar is currently staying at Abhay Chautala’s farmhouse in Delhi have added weight to the speculation. Political observers note that Dhankhar’s presence would carry strong symbolic significance for the INLD.

Meanwhile, several leaders, including former JJP national vice-president Balwan Suhag, Congress leader Manjeet Kanheli and farmer leader Raju Makdauli, joined the INLD along with their supporters.

Welcoming them, Abhay Chautala launched a scathing attack on the BJP-led Haryana Government. “The state government did not take adequate flood-control measures. It has failed to conduct a special girdawari or provide due compensation to affected farmers. The law and order machinery seems to have collapsed. Nayab Singh Saini is a dummy Chief Minister and the regime is being run from Delhi,” he said.

The INLD leader also accused Congress veteran Bhupinder Singh Hooda of “acting in the BJP’s favour.”

“The entire state knows how Hooda misled and pressurised Rahul Gandhi to give tickets to 16 sitting MLAs despite adverse reports against them, paving the way for BJP’s victory,” Abhay alleged.

He went further, branding Hooda “the biggest vote thief.” “The BJP indulges in unethical practices to win elections, but Hooda himself got the votes of 13 MLAs of his own party invalidated in the 2016 Rajya Sabha election to help the BJP,” he said.