The man who shaped Jat politics

Om Prakash Chautala, the last of political veterans of Haryana who shaped state politics, especially Jat politics, for over five decades, will always be remembered for his never-say-die attitude in the face of adverse political circumstances.

Though the INLD never came to power after 2005 and suffered a vertical split in the 2018 after the formation of the JJP by his son Ajay Chautala, the INLD supremo never lost hope and was always in the forefront of reviving the grand old party of Haryana.

In the run-up to the October 5 Assembly polls, five-time Chief Minister Chautala campaigned vigorously for the INLD despite knowing fully well that splinter group JJP had bagged 10 seats in the 2019 Assembly polls. His resolve to remain active in public life and take his father Tau Devi Lal’s legacy forward were his guiding principles.

Though the INLD won only two seats, Chautala left no stone unturned to rally party supporters revive the INLD, which was once a force to reckon with in Haryana’s politics. Despite limited education, Chautala’s political acumen and leadership skills went a long way in strengthening dominant community — Jats’ — influence in the Haryana politics. His governance initiatives, including “sarkar aap ke dwar”, led to rural empowerment aimed at furthering agrarian interests.

Born on January 1, 1935, in the family of former Deputy Prime Minister Devi Lal, Chautala remained Chief Minister of the state for five times.

Inheriting the rich legacy of his father Devi Lal, who is revered as farmers’ messiah, Chautala became the CM for the first time on December 2, 1989 after his father became Deputy Prime Minister. Since he was not even an MLA at that time, he contested a bypoll from the Meham seat. The bypoll was held on February 27, 1990, but due to allegations of booth capturing, repolling was ordered by the Election Commission on eight polling booths.

Days before the polling was to take place again, Amir Singh, an Independent candidate from Meham, was killed. The issue snowballed into a major controversy necessitating the resignation of Chautala as CM. Banarsi Das Gupta then became the CM.

After winning another bypoll from Darba, Chautala then took over as CM for the second time ending Gupta’s 51-day tenure. Chautala had to quit in just five days of assuming the office again in the wake of ‘Meham mayhem’ controversy. Master Hukam Singh was made the CM. In March 1991, Hukam Singh resigned bringing Chautala back in the saddle as the CM. Then President’s rule was imposed in Haryana between April and June 1991 as Chautala’s government lost majority support.

In the 1996 Haryana polls, Haryana Vikas Party (HVP) leader Bansi lal formed the government with the support of the BJP. After three years, the BJP withdrew its support to the HVP. Chautala formed the government with HVP MLAs’ support and took over as the CM for the fourth time on July 24, 1999.

In the 2000 Haryana polls, the INLD got a full majority and Chautala became the CM — the only time he served a full five-year term.

The incarceration of Chautala and his son Ajay Chautala in 2013 for 10 years in the JBT recruitment scam of 2000 resulted in the INLD falling on bad days. In another disproportionate assets case, he was convicted by a CBI court in May 2022, giving him a four-year sentence. The Delhi High Court later suspended the four-year sentence.

Leaders pay tribute to state patriarch

Deeply saddened by demise of Chautala ji. He remained active in politics and carried forward Devi Lal ji’s legacy. My condolences to his family and supporters. Om Shanti. — PM Narendra Modi

His contributions to Haryana’s growth and commitment to the welfare of its people, particularly ‘kisan’, will be remembered. His demise is a great loss to the state. — Governor Bandaru Dattatreya