Question

What was the promise Chaudhary Devi Lal made to the farmers and small businessman?

Answer 1

Hint: Chaudhary Devi Lal, popularly known as ‘Tau', served as Haryana’s Chief Minister Initially from 1977-79 and then from 1987-89. He established a new party called ‘Lok Dal’ and made a promise to the farmers and small businessman during the election campaign.

Complete answer:
Chaudhary Devi Lal, popularly known as ‘Tau', was an Indian politician who became India’s sixth Deputy Prime Minister and served from 1989 -1991 in the governments of ‘Vishwanath Pratap Singh’ and ‘Chandra Shekhar Singh'. He also emerged as the leader of the farmers from the Haryana state and served as Haryana’s Chief Minister Initially from 1977-79 and then from 1987-89.

The state of Haryana had been ruled by a Congress-led government since 1982. Chaudhary Devi Lal, then an opposition leader, led a movement referred to as ‘Nyaya Yudh’ and established a new party called ‘Lok Dal’. His party formed a coalition with other parties of the opposition to form a front against Congress in the elections. In the election campaign, Chaudhary Devi Lal made a promise to the farmers and small businessman that if his party won the elections then his government would waive their loans. The people got attracted by the promise made by him because they were already unhappy with the existing government. Thus, the people voted in favour of Lok Dal and its allies.

Lok Dal alone secured 60 seats in the Assembly, and along with its partners, it secured 70 out of 90 seats in the State Assembly. Congress managed to secure 5 seats only. After the election results were announced, the existing Chief Minister of Haryana gave the resignation. The newly appointed Members of the Legislative Assembly of Lok Dal selected Chaudhary Devi Lal as their leader. After the elections, he became Haryana’s Chief Minister, and soon his government passed an order which waived the outstanding loans of small farmers, agricultural labourers and small businessman.

Note: The party of Chaudhary Devi Lal ruled the state of Haryana for 4 years. The next elections took place in the year 1991. But this time their party did not manage to win the support of the masses. Congress won the election and again established their government.