- Farooq, CM express brief
STATE TIMES NEWS
CHANDIGARH/NEW DELHI: Om Prakash Chautala, a prominent Jat leader and former Haryana chief minister whose career was marked by dizzying highs and rock bottoms, including stints in jail, died on Friday. He was 89. A party spokesperson said Chautala had hiccups in the morning and collapsed in his house. He was rushed to a hospital, where he died.
The eldest son of former Deputy Prime Minister Devi Lal, the five-time chief minister headed the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD), a party founded by his father.
Tributes for Chautala poured in from across the political spectrum, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressing anguish at his passing and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Sukhbir Singh Badal describing it as a “huge personal loss”.
The Haryana government declared a three-day state mourning from Friday. It has also declared Saturday, when his funeral will be held, as a public holiday.
National Conference supremo Farooq Abdullah expressed grief at the passing of former Haryana Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala, recalling his immense contributions to public service and pivotal role in Indian politics.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also expressed his grief at Chautala’s death, the National Conference said in a post on X.
“Recalling his immense contributions to public service and his pivotal role in Indian politics, they conveyed their heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family, the Indian National Lok Dal, and his admirers. They prayed for peace to the departed soul and strength to the family during this difficult time,” the party said.
