The leader who made Haryana a name in development

New Delhi, Mar 29 (UNI) Bansi Lal, a four-time Chief Minister of Haryana, who passed away at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) here late last night, had sculpted much of the development of the state during his tenure.

Assuming the top post in the state in 1968, Bansi Lal is credited with the infrastructural, industrial and agricultural developments, including electrification of all villages. He also pioneered highway tourism in the state--a model later adopted by a number of other states.

Regarded as close to the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, he made Haryana a name in development with her support. However, during the Emergency era in 1975, he is said to have advised her and zealously enforced it in association with her son Sanjay Gandhi.

He was arrested for excesses during this period by the Devi Lal Government in Haryana after the Emergency was lifted.

Bansi Lal was elected to the state Assembly seven times-- in 1967, 1968, 1972, 1986, 1991, 1996 and 2000. He became the Chief Minister four times in 1968, 1972, 1986 and 1996. He did not contest the Assembly elections in 2005 but his sons Surendra Singh and Ranbir Singh Mahendra were elected to the state Assembly.

Assuming the reins of the government for the first time on May 31, 1968, he was the third Chief Minister of the state after Bhagwat Dayal Sharma and Rao Birender Singh. He was sworn in for the second time on March 14, 1972, and remained in office till November 30, 1975. His third and fourth terms were from June 5, 1986 to June 19, 1987 and May 11, 1996 to July 23, 1999.

Due to differences with the Congress he came out of the party in 1996 and set up the Haryana Vikas Party (HVP). His campaign for prohibition saw him coast to power in the Assembly polls the same year.

One of the first orders passed by him on assuming office was introducing prohibition in the state. However, the measure led to smuggling of liquor and corruption and ultimately led to his defeat at the hustings. The HVP could manage to win just two seats in the 2000 Assembly elections.

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