The Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) will hold its annual rally in Rohtak on September 25, a district traditionally considered a stronghold of former Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda. This rally is being seen as a crucial test for Abhay Singh Chautala, who has been formally anointed as the party’s political heir by former CM and INLD patriarch Om Prakash Chautala.
The event also commemorates the 112th birth anniversary of Devi Lal, the iconic farmers’ leader and former Deputy Prime Minister, often referred to as the ‘Tau’ of Indian politics.
Unlike past editions, when the party showcased its influence by inviting leaders from across the political spectrum, this year the focus will be squarely on Abhay himself. Speaking about the rally, Abhay said, “It's our own party event and I would directly communicate to the people about their issues and our commitment to them.”
The choice of Rohtak is symbolic. Once a Congress bastion under Hooda, the district has shown signs of growing disenchantment, according to Abhay.
“People have lost faith in Hooda, who compromised the interests of the rural belt to benefit BJP and to promote his son,” he said, adding that several young leaders from the region have recently joined the INLD ranks.
The rally also follows a symbolic generational handover. In Kaithal in 2023, during Devi Lal’s 110th birth anniversary, Chautala formally introduced Abhay to the public with the words: “Ab Ab main Abhay ko aapko saunpata hoon (Now I formally hand over Abhay to you)."
With Chautala’s passing in December last year, this will be the first major INLD rally under Abhay’s undisputed leadership.
Once a dominant force in Haryana politics, the INLD has been out of power since 2004. Its decline accelerated after the 2013 sentencing of O P Chautala and his elder son Ajay in the teachers’ recruitment scam, which pushed Abhay into central leadership. The 2018 split, when Ajay floated the Jannayak Janata Party (JJP), further fragmented the Chautala legacy. Despite this, senior INLD leaders rallied behind Abhay, reaffirming his position as the party’s political torchbearer.
Abhay’s political experience is significant. A four-time MLA from Ellenabad in Sirsa, he has headed several sports organisations, including a short tenure as president of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA). Known for his flamboyance and Bollywood connections—often inviting stars like Sanjay Dutt and Suniel Shetty to party events—Abhay has crafted an image distinct from his elder brother. Supporters say he combines strong organisational control with decisiveness. “Abhay is the real successor of O P Chautala. He has a strong hold over party workers, robust organisational skills, and the ability to take quick decisions,” said R S Chaudhary, INLD leader and former bureaucrat.
For the INLD, the stakes in Rohtak are high. With growing anti-incumbency sentiment against both the BJP and Hooda, party leaders believe Abhay is well-positioned to reclaim space as the voice of Haryana’s agrarian electorate. “Only regional parties like INLD truly understand the problems of this state,” Chaudhary said. “Unlike BJP and Congress, we are not run from Delhi.”
Party sources confirmed that Sampat Singh, former Haryana Home Minister, is expected to share the stage with Abhay at the rally. Though Singh has been in the Congress, he maintains a close connection with the Devi Lal family spanning several decades.
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