Haryana: Ousted leader Ajay Chautala splits from Indian National Lok Dal (INLD); to form a party of his own

The ongoing feud between the Chautala family members reached its climax after the ousted Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) leader Ajay Chautala has officially resigned from the party leaving “behind the party symbol for his brother Abhay Chautala.” Ajay also on Saturday announced the formation of a new political party, the name of which is expected to be revealed on December 9.

Ajay, who is currently out on furlough from Tihar Jail was addressing a rally in Jind, where he was quoted by The Indian Express as saying, “I came out of jail on October 5 (on two-week long furlough). We had called workers here. The executive body today has decided to resign from the INLD.”

“I am leaving my claim over INLD and the party symbol for my brother Billu (Abhay Chautala),” he added.

Earlier, Ajay had parted ways with the party after his sons Dushyant Chautala and his younger brother Digvijay Chautala were expelled from the MP position of the Hisar constituency by INLD party chief Om Prakash Chautala, who accused the duo of indulging in anti-party activities and for indiscipline. Ajay was also asked to leave after he supported his sons in the conflict.

Enraged at the party’s decision, Ajay was then joined by his wife and two sons and they together started holding joint rallies across Haryana accusing Ajay’s brother Abhay of conspiring against them.

Both Ajay and Abhay had on Saturday held an executive party meeting in Chandigarh which was attended by 12 MLAs that reportedly supports Abhay.

“All the MLAs are with us and shall continue to be with us,” Ashok Arora, the state chief of INLD, told the reports before the meeting.

INLD has a total of 18 MLAs in the Haryana Vidhan Sabha. Abhay is also the leader of the opposition party in the state assembly.

Meanwhile, the posters used at the rally in Chandigarh did not have the usual party’s name and its symbol. While an image of party chief Om Prakash was there, there was no pictures of Ajay, Dushyant, and Digvijay, Abhay in the posters.

INLD had earlier announced that it will form an alliance with Bahujan Samaj Party to contest both the state assembly elections and the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.