By – Shubhendra Rajawat
Om Prakash Chautala, the former Chief Minister of Haryana, passed away on Friday at Medanta Hospital in Gurugram. He breathed his last around 12:00 PM after battling health issues for several years. Chautala, who had been receiving treatment at Medanta for the past 3-4 years due to breathing difficulties, was rushed to the hospital’s emergency ward at 11:35 AM on Friday when his condition suddenly worsened. Medanta administration confirmed his death shortly thereafter.
Born on January 1, 1935, in the village of Chautala, Sirsa, Om Prakash Chautala was a prominent figure in Haryana’s political landscape. He served as the Chief Minister of Haryana five times during his career. Chautala first assumed office on December 2, 1989, and held the position until May 22, 1990. His political journey saw several ups and downs, including a second term as CM on July 12, 1990, following the sudden removal of then-CM Banarasi Das Gupta. However, Chautala resigned from the position just five days later.
Chautala’s third term as Chief Minister began on April 22, 1991, but his tenure was cut short when the central government imposed President’s Rule in the state just two weeks later.
Haryana’s current Chief Minister, Nayab Singh Saini, expressed deep sorrow at the passing of Om Prakash Chautala. He acknowledged Chautala’s significant contribution to Haryana’s politics, stating that his legacy would always be remembered in the state.
Om Prakash Chautala’s death marks the end of a long and influential political career in Haryana. His passing has left a void in the state’s political arena, and his contributions to the region will be remembered by many.