Chautala comes to Assembly after 2 years

Chandigarh, Mar 9 (UNI) Former Haryana Chief Minister and Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) supremo Om Prakash Chautala today made his first appearance in the Assembly since he lost power to Congress in the state two years ago.

Unlike his authoritative presence in the past, Mr Chautala seemed a bit subdued and grim on the first day of the Budget Session of the Assembly. The only time he spoke in the House was to read the obituary references.

During various Assembly sessions in the past two years, his absence in the House often prompted the Congress members to claim that Mr Chautala was not able to face the House due to the severe drubbing his party received in the 2005 elections. The INLD was reduced to mere nine MLAs in the 90-member Haryana assembly.

On the other hand, INLD members had been justifying their leader's long absence citing his ill health. Mr Chautala was in the US for treatment for some months during this period.

UNI