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The green flag of revolt

FAMILY, clan and caste play a major role in Haryana, perhaps even more so than in other parts of the country, especially in politics. Political power and pelf are treated as ‘assets’ by the family and naturally, there are disputes about inheritance.

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FAMILY, clan and caste play a major role in Haryana, perhaps even more so than in other parts of the country, especially in politics. Political power and pelf are treated as ‘assets’ by the family and naturally, there are disputes about inheritance. The Indian National Lok Dal (INLD), till now the legacy of the late Devi Lal, who rose up to be Deputy Prime Minister of India, is now split months after the expulsion of Dushyant Chautala, and younger brother Digvijay.

The banner of revolt against his uncle, Abhay Singh, by the great-grandson of the late patriarch was not without support, from within the family. Dushyant and his mother drew a large crowd. Even as political pundits read the tea leaves, the die is cast for a battle between two family wings, with elections around the corner. While it is easy to predict a diminished INLD, the dynamics of the power play will be watched with interest. Even now, there are indications of AAP interest in Dushyant’s outfit while the BSP already has an alliance with INLD.  Since the days of Devi Lal, who claimed to and did represent the Jat interest in the state, many other claimants have emerged fracturing the Jat vote. Former CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda now faces a challenge from within the party by Randeep Singh Surjewala. The Chautala progeny will have to sort out their ‘inheritance’ issues, while other leaders will also throw their hat in the ring. 

The thought, indeed, that 70 years after Independence, dynastic and family politics has a firm hold on the body politic is a sobering one. The feudalistic hold of families of political satraps is one of the unfortunate aspects of our democratic process. However, this is a reality, much as we may crave for political leaders who want to serve the people they represent, be icons of moral values and maintain a high degree of probity in their conduct. The ideal has seldom been as far as it is from the real in these days of entitled politics and opportunistic groupings.

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