Vinesh Phogat Claims Victory in Julana: A Milestone for Congress

In a significant political development, Vinesh Phogat, an Olympian wrestler turned politician, has emerged victorious in the Julana constituency of Haryana. According to the Election Commission of India, Phogat, representing the Congress party, overcame a challenging contest to defeat the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate, Captain Yogesh Bairagi, by over 6,000 votes.

Phogat’s victory is historic for the Congress as it marks the first time the party has won the Julana seat in 19 years. In her address following the win, Phogat termed it “a victory of every struggle and truth.” She emphasized this victory as symbolic for women who choose to fight for their rights.

During the elections, Haryana’s political landscape was highly contested, with the ruling BJP leading in 49 seats while Congress trailed closely with 35, as shown by trends on the Election Commission’s website. Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, among other notable leaders like Bhupinder Singh Hooda and Udai Bhan, were prominently ahead in their respective constituencies. However, veteran BJP leader Anil Vij faced a setback.

Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia, both celebrated Olympians, joined Congress last month, which drew considerable attention given their past involvement in leading protests against former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.

Phogat faced formidable competition in Julana from seasoned politicians, including BJP’s Captain Yogesh Bairagi, Jannayak Janta Party’s Amarjeet Dhanda, and Aam Aadmi Party’s Kavita Dalal. The seat had predominantly been in the hands of the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) from 2009 to 2019.

After winning the election, Phogat received congratulatory messages from various quarters, including fellow wrestler and Congress member Bajrang Punia. He expressed that the election was not merely about securing a seat but represented a fight against oppressive forces.

Phogat’s entrance into politics was marked by a commitment to service and justice, as indicated by her post-victory remarks. Speaking on future political aspirations, she remarked that her path in public service is driven by a desire to work for the entire state of Haryana rather than being limited to one constituency.

The election outcome in Haryana adds another chapter to the robust political battle between BJP and Congress, with ongoing counting revealing the potential for change in the political landscape of the state.