The Haryana Assembly elections have sounded the bugle. Several parties have announced their candidates. However, the conversation about wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia entering politics and contesting these elections is gaining momentum. Speculations heightened after Vinesh Phogat met Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi. It is being discussed that Vinesh might fight the assembly elections with a Congress ticket. Although, no official announcement has been made yet.
Is Vinesh Phogat Preparing to Contest from This Seat?
It is to be noted that Vinesh Phogat had opened a front against BJP leader Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. Recently, she paved her way to the finals in the Olympics but was disqualified before the match. Since then, the discussion about Vinesh coming into politics has intensified. According to reports, Vinesh Phogat is preparing to contest from the Julana Assembly seat in Jind district on a Congress ticket.
Why Does Vinesh Want to Contest from This Seat?
Actually, Vinesh's connection to Julana is through her husband, Somveer, who hails from Bakhta Khera village in the Julana constituency. Sources say Vinesh's family has started touring the area, trying to garner local support by visiting village after village.
Julana is a Jat-Dominated Seat
Julana is considered a significant seat in a Jat-majority area. In the last election, Amarjit Dhanda of the Jannayak Janata Party (JJP) won from here. From 2009 to 2019, this seat was held by Paraminder Singh of the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD). On the other hand, Vinesh's name is also being linked with the Dadri Assembly seat, where her ancestral village Bhiwani is located.
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Babita Contested from Dadri
In the 2019 Dadri elections, Vinesh's cousin Babita Phogat contested under the BJP banner but finished third. Independent candidate Somveer Sangwan won the election. Initially, there were rumors that the Phogat sisters would go head-to-head for the Dadri seat this time, but family sources have denied any political rivalry between the two sisters.
BJP Fielded Sunil Sangwan
Now that BJP has fielded Sunil Sangwan from Dadri, it seems Vinesh Phogat's focus is entirely on Julana. Congress has so far announced a list of 66 candidates, but there is still suspense over Vinesh Phogat's formal entry into politics. The party is still screening candidates for the remaining 24 seats. Notably, the elections in Haryana are on October 5, and results will be declared on October 8.
