Leader of opposition in Haryana and senior leader of Indian National Lok Dal, Abhay Singh Chautala on Wednesday met Bahujan Samaj Party supremo Mayawati in New Delhi to discuss the current political scenario in the state.
During the meeting held in New Delhi, Chautala extended birthday greetings to Mayawati, who celebrated her 63th birthday on Wednesday.
The INLD had in April last year announced to join hands with the BSP. Eyeing political revival after being out of power since 2015, the INLD had announced to contest 2019 Lok Sabha polls and assembly polls later this year in Haryana in alliance with the BSP.
With the tie up with the BSP, the INLD is looking for consolidation of Jat and dalit vote bank in Haryana.
Abhay Chautala during his meeting with BSP chief apprized her about the current political scenario regarding Jind bypolls, scheduled to be held on January 28.
The bye-election to Jind assembly seat was necessitated following the demise of Hari Chand Middha in August. INLD’s Hari Chand Middha had represented the Jind seat for two consecutive terms in 2009 and 2014.
INLD has fielded Umed Singh Redhu in the high-pitched election where Congress’ sitting MLA Randeep Singh Surjewala, Jannayak Janta Party’s Digvijay Chautala, BJP’s Krishan Middha, son of late INLD MLA Hari Chand Middha are in the fray among a total of 21 candidates.
While it is really challenging for the INLD to retain the Jind assembly seat, Chautala said that the INLD-BSP is confident of their victory.
Chautala said that the INLD-BSP cadre are working dedicatedly to reach out to the voters of Jind and retain the assembly seat.
Notably, INLD chief and former Chief Minister OP Chautala along with his elder son Ajay Chautala are currently serving 10-year jail sentence after being convicted, in teacher recruitment scam in Haryana.
After a bitter power struggle with his brother Abhay Chautala in the INLD, Ajay Chautala alongwith his son Hisar MP Dushyant Chautala has formed a new political outfit Jannayak Janta Party and fielded Digvijay Chautala for the Jind bypoll.