OM PRAKASH CHAUTALA assumed the office of Chief Minister of Haryana for the fifth time on March 2, 2000.
Born on January 1, 1935 at village Chautala in Dabwali tehsil of Sirsa district, he had his education at his native village and later on at Sangria and Dabwali.
Being inclined towards the ideology of his father, Chowdhari Devi Lal, he developed from an early age a passion for politics.
Chautala was elected to the State assembly five times, 1970, 1990, 1993, 1996 and 2000. He resigned from Haryana Legislative Assembly on November 1, 1995 on issues of Yamuna water and pumping of flood water out of the flood affected areas of the state. He strongly defended Haryana’s case in the Ravi-Beas waters and territorial disputes.
Earlier, Chautala has served the State four times as Chief Minister. It was on December 2, 1989 that he first assumed the office of Chief Minister. It was again on July 12, 1990, March 22, 1991 and July 24, 1999 that he assumed the office of Chief Minister. As a result of the effective implementation of public welfare schemes during his last tenure of seven months, he was again returned from both Narwana and Rori assembly constituencies with a massive mandate. However, he opted to retain Narwana and quit Rori.
He also remained a Member of Rajya Sabha from 1987 to 1990. He became Leader of Opposition on May 24, 1996 in the ninth Haryana Vidhan Sabha. He was elected unanimously as the President of the Haryana Unit of Indian National Lok Dal in 1999. He remained President of Haryana State Janata Dal and National General Secretary of the Samajwadi Janata party. He also served as Secretary General of the Samajwadi Janata party and Chief of the Kisan Kamgar Cell of All India Lok Dal.
{{/usCountry}}He also remained a Member of Rajya Sabha from 1987 to 1990. He became Leader of Opposition on May 24, 1996 in the ninth Haryana Vidhan Sabha. He was elected unanimously as the President of the Haryana Unit of Indian National Lok Dal in 1999. He remained President of Haryana State Janata Dal and National General Secretary of the Samajwadi Janata party. He also served as Secretary General of the Samajwadi Janata party and Chief of the Kisan Kamgar Cell of All India Lok Dal.
{{/usCountry}}Chautala was also appointed Convener of Anti-Dunkel Rally held on March 18, 1994 at Delhi. He also remained member of important committees of the Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha and Haryana Vidhan Sabha. At present, he is President of the Indian National Lok Dal.