lok-sabha-elections

Updated: Apr 26, 2019 14:49 IST

Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) supremo Om Prakash Chautala’s youngest grandson Arjun Chautala’s entry into the political arena from Kurukshetra is being seen by many as his father, Abhay Chautala’s attempt to counter his estranged nephews Dushyant and Digvijay, who have formed a party of their own and are contesting from Hisar and Sonepat.

Though Arjun maintains he was asked to fight the election by his grandfather as he was the “most deserving candidate”, it’s no secret that Abhay had been trying to launch his son into politics ever since his nephews established themselves in the political battlefield.

His candidature was announced from Kurukshetra a day after INLD’s breakaway faction Jannayak Janta Party (JJP), led by Abhay’s elder brother Ajay, fielded Arjun’s cousin and sitting MP Dushyant Chautala from Hisar.

The election is being seen as crucial for both INLD and JJP as both the parties are fighting for the legacy of former deputy prime minister and INLD founder late Devi Lal.

Arjun, however, says, “I am not fighting against anybody. My fight is with myself.”

Considered to be the favourite grandson of senior Chautala, Arjun completed his schooling from Bishop Cotton School, Shimla. In 2011, he left for Los Angeles in USA to pursue a degree in finance but left the course midway. “I had to return after two semesters as my family needed me after my grandfather and uncle (Ajay Chautala) were jailed,” he says.

After returning from USA, Arjun spent most of his time taking care of his family and agriculture in Chatuala’s Teja Khera Farm. He also took admission in a private university in Noida but said he couldn’t continue with the studies again due to family and work commitments.

INLD insiders say the party’s main focus is now on Sirsa and Kurukshetra, which remained a stronghold of the party before 2005 Lok Sabha and assembly elections. Since Kurukshetra constituency has about 3.5 lakh Jat votes, the INLD hopes this would help Arjun win and keep Dushyant and Digvijay away from the party’s old bastion. Arjun faces BJP’s sitting MLA Nayab Saini and Congress’ former minister Nirmal Singh.

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