Corruption taint spurs INLD debacle, Chautala scion loses

With its top two leaders already convicted on corruption charges, INLD’s endeavour to garner “sympathy” by labelling the conviction as a “conspiracy” failed. The only saving grace for the party was the victory of senior leader Abhay Chautala and Om Prakash Chautala’s daughter-in-law Naina Chautala from Ellanabad and Dabwali constituencies respectively. The party also managed to retain Sirsa and Fatehabad districts, its bastions for many years.

Chautala scion, Dushyant Chautala, who defeated Haryana Janhit Congress chief Kuldeep Bishnoi in the Lok Sabha polls from Hisar, lost to BJP candidate Premlata in Uchana Kalan. The seat was earlier represented by INLD chief and former CM Om Prakash Chautala, now in jail in connection with the teachers’ recruitment controversy.

INLD’s state president Ashok Arora and senior leader Rampal Majra were defeated from their respective constituencies. Both were considered to be the chief strategists and think-tanks of the INLD.

Senior party leader Abhay Chautala on Sunday described the poll verdict as a “surprise” and accused the Sirsa-based Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh of having entered into a “deal” with the BJP. “It is definitely a surprise for us, but we respect the people’s mandate. The manner in which Dera declared open support for the BJP before polling clearly indicates a deal. There is definitely going to be a quid pro quo arrangement and the Dera chief, charged in some cases, will benefit because of his support,” he said. Incidentally, Abhay is also facing a disproportionate assets case.

The verdict also showed how the people of Haryana voted against dynastic rule and voted for a stable government that can work in tandem with the Centre.

Despite an intense campaign launched in favour of the INLD by the Parkash Singh Badal-led Shiromani Akali Dal, the party’s tally slipped from 32 to 20. The SAD had fielded its candidates in alliance with the INLD from Kalanwali and Ambala (city) segments. While the alliance nominee Balkaur Singh won from Kalanwali, the INLD-SAD combine lost Ambala (city) assembly segment.