Khap leaders’ efforts to bring Chautala clan together fail

Sushil Manav

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 2

The prospects of a rapprochement in the Chautala clan through the efforts of khap leaders were dashed when going by the “pre-decided” schedule, Abhay Singh Chautala arrived at the New Delhi residence of his father Om Prakash Chautala, but no member of his elder brother Ajay Chautala’s family turned up.

Abhay said while leaving the venue that he had given the khap leaders a free hand to take a decision on what they considered fit after talking to his brother Ajay or his son Dushyant.

“Even earlier, when the khap leaders met me on August 26, I had told them that let my elder brother Ajay Singh say anything to me on the issue of unity, I am ready to obey his every order. Today again, I have told them that they don’t need to call me for any meeting in future. If they come with any solution after talking to Ajay Chautala and his sons, I will not go against their diktat,” Abhay said when The Tribune contacted him on phone.

While khap leader Ramesh Dalal claimed that Dushyant had sought time till September 3 so that he could consult his father in Tihar Jail and take a call, Dushyant himself denied any such move.

Dalal went on to add that after bringing the Chautala clan together, they have a bigger plan of convincing former CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda, too, for a mega alliance to defeat the BJP in the upcoming elections.

“I am busy addressing meetings these days. I don’t know whether I will be in Delhi on September 3 or not, because I have my engagements already fixed,” said Dushyant, who was in Chandigarh today.

Hooda could not be contacted, but his confidant Karan Singh Dalal, Congress MLA from Palwal, said that khap panchayats had nothing to do with politics and alleged that those indulging in this were bringing a bad name to khaps.

“The work of the khaps is to work for social uplift of all 36 communities living in the villages. They don’t have anything to do with politics,” Dalal said.

Khap leaders Ramesh Dalal and Surinder Dahiya said that looking into the plight of the farming community, representatives of those sitting on dharnas at 17 different places in the state for demands of hike in compensation for their acquired lands have come on one platform and are stressing the need for unity among Chautalas and a subsequent “mahagathbandhan”.

Dushyant denies move to come together 

• Khap leader Ramesh Dalal claimed that Dushyant had sought time till September 3 so that he could consult his father in Tihar Jail and take a call, Dushyant himself denied any such move.
• Dalal went on to add that after bringing the Chautala clan together, they have a bigger plan of convincing former CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda, too, for a mega alliance to defeat the BJP in the upcoming elections.