Though he is not known as a conservationist, Haryana Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala is a man obsessed with green. From his turban to his party flag, from his campaign vehicle Vijay Rath to posters, handbills and even his party offices are all green. But, if he is currently snapping at people and losing his cool, then obviously the colour of the world around him is changing to his dislike. As he emerged from the PWD Rest House this morning after a night halt during his election campaign, a handful of party functionaries got a dressing down for not mobilising people in support of party nominees. ‘‘Why don’t you fan out in your areas and ask for votes (parchi kyon nahin mangte)?’’ he said. With their heads bowed, they stood speechless. Fortunately for them, Chautala moved on to his vehicle and left after being helped in by his aides. Unlike in the past when crowds would be spilling over the compound walls of the Rest House during his visits, only some INLD leaders and officials were present today. Crowds aside, Chautala is far more vulnerable today than he ever was during the last four years. He has lost the patronage of the NDA at the Centre and the BJP’s support in the state. Ruling the state with just 47 MLAs of his Indian National Lok Dal and a handful of independents in the 90-member Assembly, he knows that he can no longer take things for granted. Once the LS polls are over, the political scene in Haryana may heat up far before Assembly polls due next year. The withdrawal of support by three independent MLAs may be just an indicator of what may be in store. After breaking off with the BJP, Chautala has been hard up for suitable candidates for the 10 LS seats. Consequently, he has fielded his sons and two ministers in the polls. Then, he has to contend with incumbency, which is at work against him. It is the first election in which Chautala does not have long-time family friend Akali Dal leader Parkash Singh Badal by his side. He has been left flaunting just National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah after Sukhbir Singh Badal’s token presence at one of his meetings.
