Om Prakash Chautala, five-time Haryana CM and INLD supremo, passes away at Gurgaon's Medanta Hospital

PTC Web Desk: Om Prakash Chautala, the influential leader of the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) and a former Chief Minister of Haryana, has passed away at the age of 89. Om Prakash Chautala, the veteran leader, was taken to Medanta Hospital at 11.30 am, where he breathed his last at 12 pm.

He breathed his last at his residence in Gurgaon, marking the end of a political era in Haryana. A towering figure in the state's political landscape, Chautala's death has left a significant void in the region's political circles.

Early life and political beginnings

Born on January 1, 1935, near Sirsa, in what is now Haryana, Om Prakash Chautala was the son of Chaudhary Devi Lal, a prominent leader who played a crucial role in the creation of Haryana in 1966 and later served as the state’s Chief Minister and Deputy Prime Minister of India. Raised in a political family, OP Chautala was destined to follow his father's path. He dropped out of school early to pursue a career in politics and was elected to the Haryana Legislative Assembly in 1970, representing the Janata Dal (People’s Party).

Chautala’s early political career, however, was not without its share of controversies. In 1978, he was detained at the Delhi airport for illegally bringing a large number of wristwatches into the country. This incident led to a temporary rift with his father. Despite these setbacks, Chautala rebuilt his political career by mobilising support for his father's political comeback in the 1987 Haryana Assembly elections and working on campaigns that boosted the image of the INLD in the 1990s.

Rise to power and tenure as CM 

Om Prakash Chautala's rise to power in Haryana came in December 1989 when he first assumed the role of Chief Minister, replacing his father after he was appointed Deputy Prime Minister. However, his tenure was short-lived as he failed to secure a seat in the state Assembly within the stipulated six-month period, leading to his resignation in May 1990. Despite this, Chautala won a by-election shortly after and assumed office again in 1990, but his second and third tenures as Chief Minister were also brief, lasting only a few days.

His persistence paid off in 1999 when he formed a coalition with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), after the Haryana Vikas Party (HVP) government lost its majority. Chautala became Haryana's Chief Minister for a fourth time, a position he held until March 2000, when early elections were called.

In the 2000 Haryana state elections, Chautala’s INLD, in alliance with the BJP, won 47 seats in the 90-member Assembly. This victory led to Chautala’s fifth term as Chief Minister, which lasted the full five-year term. However, his leadership during this period was viewed as largely ineffective, with many of his pro-farmer promises left unfulfilled.

Controversies and legal troubles

Chautala's political journey, though marked by some successes, was also tainted by controversies. One of the most significant scandals during his career was the illegal promotion of teacher candidates during his fourth term as Chief Minister. In 2013, Om Prakash Chautala, along with his son Ajay Singh Chautala and several others, was convicted for promoting around 3,200 teacher candidates through illegal means. This led to their sentencing to prison terms, with Om Prakash Chautala facing a sentence of 10 years.

Despite his conviction, Chautala’s influence in Haryana politics remained strong, particularly among the rural electorate. He continued to hold a seat in the Haryana Legislative Assembly, even as his party struggled to regain its former prominence. The INLD failed to win a majority in the 2005 and 2009 Haryana state elections, with the Congress party retaining power in both instances.

Legacy and impact on Haryana politics

Om Prakash Chautala's death marks the end of an era for the INLD and for Haryana politics. His leadership and his party's dominance in the state have been key factors in shaping the political landscape of Haryana. While his political career was marred by several controversies and legal troubles, Chautala remained an influential figure in the state's politics for decades.

As the leader of the INLD, Chautala was known for his strong advocacy for farmers' rights and his relentless efforts to fight for the welfare of Haryana’s rural population. His tenure as Chief Minister, though often criticised for underachievement, left a lasting impact on the state's agricultural policies and rural development.