Om Prakash Chautala rules out reunion with son Ajay Chautala

Pradeep Sharma

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 6

The feud in Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) founder Devi Lal's clan is getting murkier by the day.

Days after speculation that INLD and Jannayak Janata Party (JJP) may reunite, INLD supremo Om Prakash Chautala today hit back at his son and JJP chief Ajay Chautala over his "family re-unification" remarks, saying there was no chance of rapprochement with "traitors".

Reaching out before polls

They (JJP) are traitors of the INLD… There cannot be any rapprochement with the traitors. They misused Devi Lal’s name to get into power. OP Chautala, INLD supremo

OP Chautala is an elder member of the family. He should reconsider his decision (of expelling us). He should take the first step and we will follow. Ajay Chautala, JJP chief

"They (JJP) are traitors of the INLD… There cannot be any rapprochement with the traitors. They misused Devi Lal's name to get into power," Chautala said, ruling out any understanding between JJP and the INLD. Holding out an olive branch to his father, Ajay had asked him to reconsider the decision of expelling him and his sons, which could pave the way for a family reunion.

Chautala's decision to expel Ajay and his sons, Dushyant Chautala and Digvijay Chautala, had led to a divide in the erstwhile INLD and the subsequent formation of the JJP on December 9, 2018. After the October 2019 Haryana Assembly polls, the JJP cobbled together a post-poll alliance with the BJP and Ajay's elder son Dushyant Chautala became the state's Deputy CM.

"He (OP Chautala) is an elder member of the family. He should reconsider his decision. He should take the first step and we will follow," Ajay had reportedly said. Ajay was apparently referring to INLD supremo's recent comment that "there is nothing permanent in politics", which had created a buzz in political circles in Haryana and hinted at a family reunion.

Chautala's strong words against his son and grandsons have come in the run-up to the show of strength by the JJP at its third foundation day celebrations in Jhajjar on December 9. Chautala's confidence also seems to be the offshoot of INLD's win in Ellenabad byelection despite intense campaign by the JJP and BJP against its candidate Abhay Chautala. In fact, repeal of the three farm laws by the Centre also seemed to have vindicated the INLD's stand as Abhay had resigned against these laws in January.

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