It’s deja vu for Devi Lal family

Deepender Deswal

Tribune News Service

Hisar, November 3

It is a déjà vu moment for old timers in Haryana politics especially who have been keeping a track of the politics of the Devi Lal family that became synonymous with the farmer-centric Lok Dal in the state.

INLD supremo Om Prakash Chautala’s decision to expel his grandsons — Hisar MP Dushyant Chautala and INSO chief Digvijay Chautala — has made sure that Leader of Opposition Abhay Chautala has a complete command over the party, leaving his elder brother Ajay Chautala, who is in jail in the JBT recruitment scam, sulking.

Ajay had been more prominent face in the party than his younger brother Abhay before the JBT recruitment verdict in 2014.

An aide of Devi Lal said it was similar to the happenings of 29 years ago when two sons of Devi Lal, Om Prakash Chautala and Ranjeet Singh, were active in the party. In 1987, when Devi Lal-led Lok Dal came to power in Haryana, Ranjeet became prominent face in the government. While Chautala, a Rajya Sabha member, had a major say in the party affairs.

When Devi Lal became Deputy Prime Minister in 1989, the Family put its weight behind Chatuala as Devi Lal appointed him the Chief Minister.

Swift developments took place when Chautala decided to contest the Meham (Rohtak) byelection to reach Assembly. His speech in Meham, when he talked about ‘kali bhed’ (black sheep) in the party, annoyed ministers like his brother Ranjeet, Virender Singh, Ran Singh Maan and Kripa Ram Punia who resigned from the government.

The turn-of-events left Ranjeet— a force to reckon with till a few months ago — with no option but to shift to Central politics to assist his father. Chautala strengthened his grip on the state leaving no space for his younger brother. Later, Ranjeet joined the Congress in 1991 when PV Narsimha Rao was the Prime Minister.

“Circumstances were different at that time. The party was in power at the Centre and in the state and Devi Lal was a central figure in Indian politics. Now, the party has been struggling for political success for the past 14 years,” said a former youth Lok Dal leader who is in BJP now. He said Ranjeet was alone in his struggle and thus had to step aside silently once Devi Lal put his weight behind Chautala. “But Ajay has strong back up with his sons Dushyant and Digvijay and wife Naina. Despite clear diktat from Chautala, they have the wherewithal to chart out their own political path,” he added.

Dharna in support of expelled leaders

Ambala: Unhappy with the expulsion of Dushyant Chautala and Digvijay Chautala, many youth leaders resigned from the INLD and staged a token dharna at Devi Lal Chowk in Ambala City on Saturday. Wearing black badges, the youth leaders raised slogans in support of Dushyant. Former INLD state spokesman Vivek Choudhary said, “They have been expelled without any evidence and were not even given any chance to explain their stand. A large number of youth leaders have resigned from the party.” Harpal Kamboj, former youth district president, said “There is resentment among the youth INLD leaders. We all are here to mark our protest against the ‘Tuglaki farman’ issued by the party.” TNS