Dushyant sells grandfather’s dream

Birender Singh has planned a rally by Modi for October 11 in Jind.

“We have to elect the Lok Dal, and bring Om Prakash Chautala out,” an INLD activist chants from the chaupal of this dusty village in Uchana Kalan, and the crowd applauds. The idea may defy commonsense, but die-hard supporters have no doubt it will work.

The crowd is charged up as Chautala’s grandson Dushyant speaks. “Chautala sahib is suffering not because he gave jobs (in the teachers’ recruitment scam) to any of his relatives., but because he gave employment to you, the poor and the farmers.” They applaud again.

Dushyant, 25, Ajay Chautala’s foreign-educated son who defeated Kuldeep Bishnoi in the Hisar Lok Sabha constituency, has a way with words. “Don’t trust our rivals who say Chautala wants to run a government from Tihar jail. Chautala will bring the government to your doorstep. It also means we are coming to power.” More applause.

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“Don’t trust the media. When they gave us nine seats (in 2009), we won 32. Now they are giving us 30-32, so be sure we are getting 75.”

Narendra Modi’s attacks, though, have caught the Chautalas off-guard. “Modi should maintain the dignity of the office he holds,” Dushyant tells The Indian Express. “BJP was with us from 2000 to 2005, and has to take half the blame for any goondaism during our rule.”

The MP makes his preferences clear: “Our first priority is to form a government and I am ready to give up my parliamentary seat.” He does not take a clear position vis-à-vis the BJP in case there is a hung verdict. “It is for Chautala sahib to take a call on such major issues,” he says.

Pitted against Dushyant is Prem Lata of the BJP, fighting a proxy battle for her husband Birender Singh, formerly with the Congress. Initially, Chautala’s wife had been discussed as a possible candidate but the family ultimately decided on Dushyant.

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Birender Singh and Prem Lata are seeking votes as locals of the area, known as Bangar. “The Chautalas seek votes from Bangar, but develop only their own Sirsa,” Prem Lata tells voters in Budayan village. “Those who pedal falsehood and believe in violence and loot of small-time push-cart owners are trying to hoodwink people by selling hollow dreams.”

Birender Singh has planned a rally by Modi for October 11 in Jind. He lost the last assembly election to Chautala by some 600 votes.