Abhay Singh Chautala (born 14 February 1963) is an Indian politician and Member of the Haryana Legislative Assembly from Ellenabad.[2][3] He also served as the Leader of Opposition in the Haryana Legislative Assembly from the Indian National Lok Dal. He is the grandson of the former Deputy Prime Minister of India, Devi Lal[4][5] and the son of Haryana's former Chief Minister, Om Prakash Chautala.
Abhay Singh Chautala | |
---|---|
Member of the Haryana Legislative Assembly | |
Assumed office 24 January 2010 | |
Constituency | Ellenabad |
Leader of Opposition, Haryana Legislative Assembly | |
In office October 2014 – March 2019[1] | |
Preceded by | Om Prakash Chautala |
Succeeded by | Bhupinder Singh Hooda |
10th President of Indian Olympic Association | |
In office 5 December 2012 – 9 February 2014 | |
Preceded by | Vijay Kumar Malhotra (as acting president) |
Succeeded by | Narayana Ramachandran |
Personal details | |
Born | Chautala, Punjab, India (now in Haryana, India) | 14 February 1963
Political party | Indian National Lok Dal |
Spouse(s) | Supriya (m. 1987; died 1988)Kanta Chautala |
Relations | Chaudhary Devi Lal (grandfather) Ajay Singh Chautala (brother) Dushyant Chautala (nephew) |
Children | 2 |
Parent |
|
Residence(s) | Sirsa, Haryana, India |
Occupation | Politician |
Early life and education
He was born in Chautala, Sirsa[6] and studied at the S.M. Hindu Senior Secondary School,[7] Sonepat.[8] He acquired his bachelor's degree in arts from Haryana agricultural university, Hisar.[9] A sports enthusiast, he has represented the state eight times in national volleyball championship and won numerous medals.[2]
Political career
Chautala embarked on his political journey during his younger school years. His official entrance into the political landscape started with his candidacy in the Chautala village Panchayat elections, where he assumed the role of Upsarpanch (Deputy Sarpanch). His notable ascent in the political arena came to the forefront in the year 2000 when he helped his father clinch victory from Haryana's Rori Assembly constituency under the banner of the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD).[7] During his tenure as the representative of his constituency, Abhay Singh Chautala oversaw the establishment of the Chaudhary Devi Lal Memorial College in Panniwala Mota, dedicated to engineering education.[citation needed]
In 2005, Chautala became the president of the District Council of Sirsa. Notably, in 2009, he emerged victorious in the Ellenabad Assembly constituency by-election after the arrest of his father, Om Prakash Chautala and his brother, Ajay Singh Chautala.
After securing re-election as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) in 2014, Chautala assumed the role of the Leader of Opposition within the Haryana Legislative Assembly. During the 2014 Indian general elections, Chautala was responsible for guiding the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) to secure 2 Lok Sabha seats amidst a formidable electoral surge favoring the Narendra Modi-led Bharatiya Janata Party wave.
On 27 January 2021, Abhay Singh Chautala resigned as the only MLA from the party citing the BJP-led Union government’s refusal to accept farmers’ demands.[10][11] He was later re-elected from the Ellenabad constituency in a bypoll election on 2 November 2021.[12]
In April 2024, Abhay Singh Chautala was nominated by his party to contest the 2024 Indian general election from the Kurukshetra constitiuency of Haryana.[13]
Sports development
Abhay Chautala has been the torchbearer of sports development in Haryana. He introduced a new policy which had significantly boosted sports and games in the state. The policy provides for sports quota reservations for government jobs and educational institutions. It provides diet allowances for sports professionals and lucrative prizes for international medal winners. Abhay Chautala has set up rural stadiums and coaching institutions in various parts of the state. As a result of his successful endeavors in the field of sports, he was elected for various leading positions at reputable sports organizations.
Positions held in sports organisations
Position | Organization | Year |
---|---|---|
President | Haryana Olympic Association[14] | 2016-till date 1999-2012 1991-1995 |
President | Haryana State Athletic Association[15] | 2013-till date 1996-2008 |
President | Haryana State Boxing Association[16] | 2000-till date |
Chairman | Indian Amateur Boxing Federation[17] | 2012-2016 |
Patron in Chief | All India Tug of War Federation | 2008-2014 |
President | Indian Olympic Association[18] | 2012-2014 |
President | Indian Boxing Federation[19] | 2001-2012 |
Chef-De-Mission | Indian Contingent, Guangzhou (China) Asian Games[20] | 2010 |
Member | Organizing Committee, Commonwealth Games-2010 Delhi[21] | 2010 |
Vice-President | Asian Boxing Federation[22] | 2004-2011 |
Vice-President | Indian Olympic Association[18] | 1991-2012 |
President | Haryana State Volleyball Association | 1991-2000 |
Secretary General | Haryana State Volleyball Association | 1985-1991 |
Personal life
Abhay Singh Chautala is the youngest son of politician Om Prakash Chautala and Sneh Lata.[2][7] He married Supriya in March 1987, who died on 11 November 1988 under suspicious circumstances at the age of 19.[23] Later, he married Kanta Chautala and has two sons, Karan Singh Chautala and Arjun Singh Chautala.[2][7]