Former Haryana CM Om Prakash Chautala Passes Away at 89

Former Haryana Chief Minister and INLD veteran leader Om Prakash Chautala passed away at the age of 89. He took his last breath at a hospital in Gurugram on Friday. Chief Minister Naib Singh Saini confirmed his passing and praised Chautala’s lasting contribution to Haryana politics.

Former Haryana CM and INLD chief Om Prakash Chautala passes away at his residence in Gurugram: Rakesh Sihag, INLD Media Coordinator

(File photo) pic.twitter.com/3DORlQ338K

— ANI (@ANI) December 20, 2024

As per reports, Chautala had been living in Gurugram for some time. He was admitted to Mandata Hospital today at around 11:30 am, where he passed away shortly after noon. Despite his advanced age, he was reportedly in good health. Current Haryana CM and Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar expressed condolences, calling it a significant loss for the state.

Homage to be Paid in Sirsa District

According to family sources, Chautala will be cremated on Saturday afternoon at Teja Khera in the Sirsa district. His remains would be preserved there for visitors to pay their respects between the hours of 8 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Born in 1935

Chaudhary Om Prakash Chautala, born on January 1, 1935, in Chautala village, Dabwali, Sirsa, Haryana, belonged to a Jat family of the Sihag gotra. He was the eldest son of former Deputy Prime Minister Devi Lal. Chautala served as Haryana's Chief Minister five times.

Chuatala's Stint as Haryana CM

He first became Chief Minister on December 2, 1989, and served until May 22, 1990. On July 12, 1990, he took oath as CM for the second time after Banarasi Das Gupta was removed from the position. However, Chautala had to resign just five days later. His third term began on April 22, 1991, but it lasted only two weeks before the central government imposed President's rule in Haryana.

Chautala's Political Career

After the 1996 Lok Sabha elections, Om Prakash Chautala formed a new party called Haryana Lok Dal (National). In the 1998 Lok Sabha mid-term elections, he allied with the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and won five Lok Sabha seats in Haryana, giving his party greater recognition. Later, the party was renamed the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD).

On July 24, 1999, Chautala became Chief Minister for the fourth time. In December 1999, he dissolved the assembly, and after the elections, he was sworn in as Chief Minister for the fifth time on March 2, 2000. He served a full five-year term, but INLD never returned to power in Haryana after 2004.

Chautala faced legal troubles, including a conviction in the JBT teacher recruitment scam, for which he served time in jail.

ALSO READ: Home Ministry New Directive: Limited International Tourists Allowed in Indian States Like

ALSO READ: Champions Trophy 2025: Venue for India vs Pakistan Match Resolved?