...And Now Jailed Chautala Takes on PM Modi

NEW DELHI: “Modi says I will take oath and rule from jail. I am from a village and will rule from there,” said former Chief Minister and INLD leader Om Prakash Chautala addressing campaign rallies across Haryana. He was responding to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s earlier barb that should Chautala win the elections he would have to govern from the jails.

The Haryana politician with a considerable support base in the state was out on bail for medical treatment, but took the opportunity to rush across addressing rallies and singling out the Prime Minister for special attack. "You don't know Haryana, Mr Modi," he said joining the Maharashtra regional parties in a clear ‘hands off’ message.

The Central Bureau of Investigation that seemed to have turned a blind eye to Chautala’s campaign---he is supposed to be serving a ten year jail sentence for corruption---has now asked the Delhi High Court to cancel his bail. The 79 year old leader who clearly has not weakened with time, is to go back to jail on October 17, two days after polling.

The CBI's application asking for an ‘urgent hearing’ says Chautala sought bail for "indoor treatment" and should have been in hospital but has been addressing rallies since September 25.

The old war horse remains unfazed. In his campaign he has been making it repeatedly clear that whether he contests the elections or not, he will be the chief minister of Haryana. “I will be the chief minister of Haryana and will take oath from Tihar Jail if needed,” he asserted to sympathetic audiences.

Significantly Chautala started his campaign from Jind decked with INLD flags. This has been the seat for similar campaigns and mass movements by other Jat leaders of the state including Devi Lal and Bansi Lal. It remains to be seen whether Jind heralds a change in his favour as well.