Om Prakash Chautala
Former Haryana chief minister and Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) president Om Prakash Chautala passed away on Friday at age 89 following a cardiac arrest. He suffered a heart attack at his residence and was rushed to Medanta Hospital, where he died around noon.
Chautala, a prominent Jat farmer leader and elder son of former Deputy prime minister Devi Lal, served as Haryana’s chief minister four times and was a seven-time MLA. His longest tenure, from 1999 to 2005, saw significant development in irrigation, infrastructure, and rural upliftment.
Political figures across party lines mourned his death. Prime Minister Narendra Modi noted Chautala’s contributions in advancing Devi Lal’s work, while Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini termed it an irreparable loss to state and national politics. Congress leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda, who served as Leader of Opposition during Chautala’s tenure, remembered him fondly.
Despite two convictions — in a 2013 teacher recruitment scam and a 2022 disproportionate assets case — Chautala remained influential. His late-in-life academic achievements while in Tihar Jail inspired the film “Dasvi.” He is survived by two sons and three daughters. His wife predeceased him in 2019.
( Source : Deccan Chronicle )
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