Abhay Singh Chautala,, senior leader of Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) and its general secretary says that his party will make farmer-friendly policies when it comes to power in Haryana. The moment INLD is voted back to power it will ensure that the Swaminathan Commission Report is implemented so that farmers get fair and remunerative prices for their produce, he says. He swears by former Deputy Prime Minister Chaudhary Devi Lal saying his party will implement the policies of late leader who was the pioneer of providing social security the old, infirm and needy.
Abhay, grandson of Devi Lal and younger son of Haryana's ex-chief minister Om Prakesh Chautala has been active in politics since his schooling days but he officially began his political career by contesting an election for the membership of Chautala village Panchayat and serving as its up-sarpanch (deputy chief) for one term. He came into political limelight in the year 2000 when he won from Haryana's Rori Assembly constituency on INLD ticket with a record number of votes. In 2005, he was elected as the President of the Zila Parishad, Sirsa. In 2009, he won the by-election from Ellenabad State constituency. In 2014, he was re-elected as MLA and joined the Vidhan Sabha as the leader of opposition. As a sports enthusiast, he had represented Haryana eight times in national volleyball championship and won numerous medals. In an exclusive interview with The Pioneer, Abhay Chautala reveals his strategy for the upcoming Assembly polls. Excerpts from the interview:
In the past elections too, political parties had promised implementation of Swaminathan Commission report to improve the condition of farmers. None of them did. Will you implement such recommendation after your party forms government in the State?
Farmers are perennially in debt with no hope of relief. We assure to the people of the State that our party would implement recommendations of the Commission Report after forming government. With its implementation, the farmer will no longer be dependent on loans for farming. As a first step the loans of the farmers and small traders will be waived to the tune of Rs ten lakhs. In addition the electricity bill for agricultural consumption too will be waived and the electricity bill for domestic consumption of farmers will be halved.
You had recently organised a big rally in Kaithal. It is said that the rallies of INLD are big but it does not convert into votes. Will it translate into votes this time?
I congratulate people who came in large numbers in Kaithal to pay tribute to deputy prime minister late Devi Lal, founder of INLD. I recalled that the welfare of the youth was first introduced by Devi Lal and it is only fit tribute to his memory that with changing times and needs appropriate amendments and improvements are made. It is not true that people attending rallies do not vote the party. Our party has been in power on several occasions. INLD was chief opposition party in the Assembly.
Haryana watcher says, Assembly election will be held on national issues of BJP Vs local issues of Cong, INLD, JJP, Swaraj India, AAP, BSP and others. According to you, what are the issues in this election?
BJP had divided the people in five years. Due to government’s negligence, six people died during arrest of Rampal, 32 people died during Jat agitation and 48 people died while 200 have been missing when Dera chief Ram Rahim was sentenced by the Court. BJP had promised reservation to Jat community but the party failed to do so. As all the opposition parties had agreed to give reservation to Jat community, BJP should have done it by passing law in the assembly. Apart from providing security to women and girls, unemployment is a big issue. People are fed up with BJP and this party has failed on all fronts be it farmers’ concerns, employment, women’s safety among others. BJP will not be able to win more than 15 seats in this election.
From which constituency, will you contest election?
I have been an MLA from Ellenabad for the last 10 years. All round development has taken place in the constituency. BJP had promised package of 640 crores for Ellenabad constituency but failed to execute it. Being an MLA I have completed various projects worth Rs 50 lakh to Rs two crores in small villages to big villages, cities of the Constituency. I will again contest election from Ellenabad Assembly seat.
Many your party MLAs and leaders have switched to BJP. You comment
INLD has made many leaders. Many party MLAs may have switched over to BJP ir does not matter. They have betrayed the party and now in this election, people will teach them a lesson.
Parties like BJP, Congress, INLD, JJP, BSP, AAP, Swaraj India and others are fighting the election. To whom do you think your party is having a real contest?
It is in people’s hand to form the government. They may compare on development front done by BJP-led government in five years and what they used to get when the INLD was in power. BJP has done nothing for the betterment of the people.
BJP says they have set the target of 75+ seats. How many seats you are going to win in this assembly election?
BJP has come to power by making false promises. Due to wrong policies of centre and state government, people of various sections of society, be it farmers, employees, traders, workers are suffering. Chaudhary Devi Lal had recognised tractor as integral to the farmers needs, he had exempted it from taxes by terming it as 'farmers' gadda'. INLD on coming to power will bear all expenses for the registration of tractors. Late Devi Lal waived off road taxes of tractors but now BJP government has been imposing heavy challan on tractors and vehicles under newly amended Motor Vehicle Act. Thousands of rupees are being imposed on tractors, vehicles in the form challan in traffic violation.
Central government had fixed the rate of farmers’ crops but has not purchased their products. People will oust BJP from the power and it will not cross more than 15 seats this time. People are with the INLD and party will form the government.
What are you promising to the people in your election manifesto?
The unemployment rate in Haryana rose to 28.7 per cent, which is the highest in the country. The state is at number one in unemployment rate despite the state government’s claims of providing jobs. Haryana is facing serious unemployment problem. Our party would provide 75 per cent reservation in government and private sectors. Our party would implement recommendations of the Commission Report. As a first step, loans of farmers and small traders will be waived to the tune of Rs ten lakhs. In addition the electricity bill for agricultural consumption too will be waived and the electricity bill for domestic consumption of farmers will be halved. Manifesto will soon be released.
What are the other promises?
75 per cent posts will be kept reserve in private sectors for Haryana youth. The examination for government jobs will be conducted within five kilometres of their home. Free transport facilities for students will be given when they go to appear in the examination. Job will be given to one person of each family. School and college going students and women who are feeling insecure will be provided security. Old age pension will be increased from Rs 2,000 to Rs 3,000. Newly amended MV Act will be scraped. In recognition of the contribution of Haryana's youth in defending the borders of the country, our party has decided to give them a two room house in a 200 meters plot after retirement. Our party has decided to give a grant of Rs. five lakhs for each girl under kanyadan scheme at the time of her marriage. In addition women will be provided with free education for their higher studies. Our party promises that the security and welfare of the females of Haryana will be a priority for INLD on assuming power.