Sat Dec 21 03:42:00 UTC 2024: ## Haryana’s Four-Time Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala Passes Away at 89

**Chandigarh, [Date]** – Om Prakash Chautala, a prominent figure in Haryana politics and a four-time Chief Minister of the state, passed away Friday at the age of 89. Reports indicate he suffered a heart attack at his Gurugram residence. His death marks a significant loss not only to the Chautala family but also to the political landscape of Haryana.

The Chautala family has a long and influential history in Haryana’s political scene, spanning three generations. Om Prakash Chautala’s father, Chaudhary Devi Lal, also served as Chief Minister twice, earning the moniker “Tau” (uncle) among his supporters. Devi Lal’s political career saw him leading the state in 1977 and 1987. Interestingly, Devi Lal reportedly expelled Om Prakash Chautala from the family home after his arrest at Delhi airport on smuggling charges. However, upon Devi Lal’s resignation as Chief Minister in 1989, he chose his eldest son, Om Prakash, as his successor.

Om Prakash Chautala’s family is extensive and politically active. Chaudhary Devi Lal had four sons – Om Prakash, Pratap, Ranjit, and Jagdish – and one daughter. Om Prakash Chautala’s political ascendancy, driven by his strong grassroots support, led him to the Chief Minister’s office. He had two sons, Ajay and Abhay Chautala, both involved in politics.

A major rift within the Chautala family emerged in 2013 following Om Prakash and Ajay Chautala’s conviction in the JBT teacher recruitment scam, resulting in a 10-year prison sentence. Abhay Chautala subsequently took control of the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) party. The family further fractured after the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, when Abhay’s son, Dushyant Chautala, entered politics and won a seat. Subsequent electoral defeats led to a split within the INLD, with factions aligning with Abhay and Dushyant respectively. In 2018, Om Prakash Chautala expelled Dushyant and his brother Digvijay from the party, solidifying Abhay’s control over the INLD. Dushyant later formed his own party, the Jannayak Janata Party (JJP), in December 2018.

The Chautala family tree includes:

* **Chaudhary Devi Lal’s sons:** Om Prakash Chautala, Pratap Chautala, Ranjit Chautala, Jagdish Chautala
* **Om Prakash Chautala’s sons:** Ajay Chautala and Abhay Chautala
* **Ajay Chautala’s sons:** Dushyant Chautala and Digvijay Chautala
* **Abhay Chautala’s sons:** Karan Chautala and Arjun Chautala

The legacy of Om Prakash Chautala and the future of the politically fractured Chautala family remain to be seen.

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