Battle of the generations

Lal is contesting as Indian National Lok Dal candidate from Hissar Lok Sabha constituency in Haryana and the fourth generation of India’s first Prime Minister Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru is contesting as Congress nominee from Amethi, Lok Sabha seat in Uttar Pradesh.

The family of late Devi Lal had always been in news due to his family members contesting elections one after another during the last 62 years. Prior to joining the election battle by Devi Lal in 1952 his elder brother Sahib Ram had been an elected MLA in pre partition state of Punjab. Devi Lal might have faced more than a dozen election battles winning most of the contests and holding the posts of the chief minister, union minister and deputy prime minister. 

In 1989 Lok Sabha election, Devi Lal contested for three different seats from three states of Haryana (Rohtak), Punjab (Ferozepur) and Rajasthan (Sikar). He emerged victorious for two and lost battle in Punjab. Devi Lal had to face three defeats, one after another in the hands of present Haryana CM B S Hooda from Rohtak Lok Sabha seat. His three sons – Pratap Singh, Ranjit Singh and Om Prakash Chautala – had been members of the state Assembly and even Rajya Sabha. Devi Lal’s third generation, Ajay Chautala, son of 

O P Chautala had been a Rajya Sabha member and an elected MLA in Rajasthan and Haryana. He was also elected from Bhiwani lok Sabha seat in 2004. Presently O P Chautala and his son Ajay have been facing rigorous imprisonment after being found guilty in the JBT recruitment scam in Haryana education department. Their family political outfit is being managed by another son of 

O P Chautala, Abhay Chautala and two sons of Ajay, Dushyant and Digvijay. Dushyant is contesting from Hissar Lok Sabha seat and Digvijay is holding charge of the youth wing of their party – INLD.

The story of Nehru-Gandhi family in the politically conscious state of Uttar Pradesh is known to most of people. The fourth generation Rahul Gandhi had been active in the party politics and its affairs from the last 10 years.

The earlier three generations, say Pandit Nehru, her daughter Indira Gandhi and her son Rajiv Gandhi had occupied the highest executive post in the country. The earlier three generations had never been reluctant in accepting the highest post as the fourth 

generation leader Rahul Gandhi seems to be.

One may easily identify the generations of the political leaders entering into the election arena at different point of times. One may find eneumerous instances of the second generation being baptised for the election challenges across the country. Though there are certain instances of the third generation being forced or willing being introduced in the election battles. Seemingly the trend in Haryana has become vocal and visible as the families of the three former CMs had been nurturing the political ambitions of their next generations. 

The third generation of Bansi Lal, her granddaughter, Shruti Chaudhuri is seeking reelection as Congress candidate from Bhiwani Lok Sabha seat. Bansi Lal’s sons Surinder Singh, Ranbir Singh and her daughter in law, Kiran Chaudhry had been MLA and even minister. The third generation, Ranbir Singh father of Bhupender Hooda, is seeking reelection from Rohtak Lok Sabha constituency.

The second generations of the two former CMs are also contesting Lok Sabha elections again. They are Kuldip Bishnoi son of Bhajan Lal and Rao Inderjit Singh son of Rao Birender Singh. The third generations of Uma Shankar Dikshit, Vijay Raje Scindia and former Prime Minister Charan Singh have been joining election battles for the last so many years. Of couse the election turf is fertile enough to attract the generations of the leaders.

The author is a communication consultant