Chautala showers pre-poll promises

HANSI: In a first show of strength after a split in the party Indian National Lok Dal supremo Om Prakash Chautala on Friday set out to infuse confidence in party cadre by stating that he would be out of jail by Marchend and the INLD would storm to power after the next Assembly elections

Updated At : 01:32 PM Mar 02, 2019 IST

Indian National Lok Dal supremo OP Chautala in Hansi.

Deepender Deswal

Tribune News Service

Hansi, March 1

In a first show of strength after a split in the party, Indian National Lok Dal supremo Om Prakash Chautala on Friday set out to infuse confidence in party cadre by stating that he would be out of jail by March-end and the INLD would storm to power after the next Assembly elections.

By organising a rally in Hansi town, which is part of the Hisar parliamentary constituency represented by Jannayak Janta Party convener Dushyant Chautala, the INLD has tried to put up a brave face in the wake of its humiliating defeat in the Jind assembly byelection when its candidate Umed Redhu could only attain the fifth position.

Addressing the well-attended rally, Chautala was quick to strike a chord with the party workers in his inimitable style. Without making any direct reference about the recent developments in his family which led to the split, Chautala stated, “In all likelihood, the government will have to release me by March and then I would be amongst you. After my release, the workers who have been lured out of the party will rejoin us. The party workers are not with any individuals but have faith in the policies of Chaudhary Devi Lal.”

Making a plethora of promises to farmers, traders and Army personnel at the rally, Chautala said that if the INLD came to power, it would implement the Swaminathan commission recommendations besides providing financial assistance of Rs 10,000 per acre per year to farmers. Besides, he said, all families of Army personnel and paramilitary forces would be given 100 square yard plots and families of martyred soldiers would be given Rs 10,000 pension per month. The former CM also promised to increase the old age pension to Rs 3,000 per month.

The former CM stated that the INLD government would increase the commission of the arhtiyas to 3 per cent and would continue to work for the completion of the Sutlej-Yamuna Link Canal.

Leader of Opposition and Ellabanad legislator Abhay Singh Chautala, addressing the rally, said those who were conspiring to weaken the party would not be successful in their designs. INLD state president Ashok Arora also addressed the rally. Abhay Chautala’s sons Karan and Arjun were overseeing the arrangements.

Hopes to be released from jail by March-end

INLD supremo Om Prakash Chautala is set to return to the jail on Sunday after the completion of a 21-day furlough. At the Hansi rally, he told his party workers he hoped to be released from prison by the end of March.