Haryana’s former five-time Chief Minister, Om Prakash Chautala, who was 89, was cremated with full state honours at his Teja Khera farmhouse in Sirsa district.
The ceremony was attended by many important figures, including Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini, Congress MPs Randeep Surjewala and Kumari Selja, and Shiromani Akali Dal leader Sukhbir Singh Badal.
After paying his respects, Vice President Dhankhar shared, “I was deeply saddened to hear the news yesterday. Just five days ago, I spoke to Chautala, and he was asking about my health. He was always more concerned about others. His main focus was on farmers and the development of villages.”
Many other prominent figures also paid their respects, including Haryana ministers, State Assembly Speaker Harvinder Kalyan, former Union Minister Venod Sharma, SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia, and BJP leaders Manpreet Badal and Manjinder Singh Sirsa.
Earlier in the morning, Chautala’s body, draped in the national flag, was placed at his farmhouse for people to pay their final respects. The funeral pyre was lit by his sons, JJP leader Ajay Chautala and INLD leader Abhay Chautala, surrounded by family, friends, and hundreds of party workers.
The entire Chautala family participated in the funeral, including Om Prakash Chautala’s brother, former BJP leader Ranjit Singh, JJP leader and former Haryana Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala, and other relatives.
A prayer meeting will be held on December 31 at Chautala village in Sirsa district.
Abhay Chautala said, “Our father’s death is a loss not just for us but for everyone he helped throughout his life. His struggle, vision, and commitment will always remain in our hearts.” Dushyant Chautala called his grandfather “an iron man.”
Congress MP Kumari Selja, speaking at the funeral, said, “It is the end of an era. He was a disciplined leader, always in touch with the people, and worked until his last day.”
The Haryana government declared three days of state mourning and announced Saturday as a public holiday in all government offices to honour Chautala.
Also Read: Chautala: A pragmatic leader weighed down by expectations
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