Former Haryana CM OP Chautala, 89, passes away in Gurugram

Om Prakash Chautala, former Haryana Chief Minister and leader of the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD), passed away on Dec 20 in Gurugram due to cardiac arrest at the age of 89, confirmed a party spokesperson.

Chautala was last seen publicly during the Haryana Assembly elections on Oct 5, when he cast his vote at a polling station in his native village, Chautala, in Sirsa district.

Born to Chaudhary Devi Lal, a former Deputy Prime Minister of India, Chautala played a pivotal role in Haryana's political landscape.

He held the Chief Minister's office four times between 1989 and 2005. His tenure saw both achievements and controversies, shaping the state's political narrative for decades.

In May 2022, Chautala received a four-year jail sentence from a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court in a disproportionate assets case dating back 16 years, making him Tihar Jail’s oldest inmate at 87. He was released in 2020.

His wife, Sneh Lata, passed away in August 2019. Chautala is survived by three daughters and two sons, including Abhay Singh Chautala, an MLA from Ellenabad, and Ajay Singh Chautala.

Chautala’s grandson, Dushyant Chautala, currently serves as Haryana’s Deputy Chief Minister and leads the Jannayak Janata Party. A former Lok Sabha MP from Hisar, Dushyant continues the family’s political legacy.

Political Journey

Chautala’s political career began in 1970 when he was elected to the Haryana Legislative Assembly. His father, Devi Lal, had been instrumental in Haryana's formation in 1966 and mentored Chautala’s early career.

Despite facing challenges, including allegations and detentions, Chautala emerged as a resilient political figure. He led anti-corruption campaigns and played key roles in state and national politics, leaving behind a legacy intertwined with Haryana’s history.