CHAUTALA’S RELEASE FROM JAIL TO INFLUENCE HARYANA POLITICS

Former Haryana CM and Indian National Lok Dal supremo Om Parkash Chautala may be released officially anytime after he has been granted a remission of his sentence. Following the benefit given to convicts in the wake of the Covid-29 pandemic, he will be released as part of a drive to decongest Delhi’s prisons. It is pertinent to mention that he is already on parole.

Chautala’s release is expected to lead to a string of speculation as political experts are of the opinion that being a big face in state politics, he is most likely to influence the political arena of the state. It is learnt that all parties would keenly watch what political strategy Chautala adopts to strengthen his party following his release from jail. Besides, what is of utmost import is that Chautala hails from the Jat community which constitutes the maximum vote-bank among all castes and Chautala’s comeback may affect Jat politics in the state. To some extent, Abhay Chautala, his son, has kept the INLD alive.

Among other leaders, Bhupinder Singh Hooda and Dushyant Singh Chautala from Congress and JJP respectively emerged as the prominent Jat leaders and the comeback of Chautala undoubtedly would challenge their existence in state politics. His “re-entry” may affect affect a Jat stalwart like O.P. Dhankar.