Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi: Congress candidate Vinesh Phogat, the celebrated wrestler turned politician, has won her debut election from the Julana assembly seat in Haryana. After her victory, Phogat declared, “Truth has prevailed.”
Her success comes as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leads in the state, securing a majority, with the Congress trailing behind. Despite the BJP’s strong performance, Phogat’s victory stands out as a major achievement for the Congress.
Phogat’s Entry into Politics
Vinesh Phogat’s election to the Julana seat comes just over a month after she joined the Congress party in September. The 30-year-old Olympic athlete turned politician defeated BJP’s Captain Yogesh Bairagi, a former army officer, and Aam Aadmi Party’s Kavita Dalal in a closely watched contest.
Speaking after her win, Phogat stated, “Let’s wait for the final results. Once all the certificates are in, I am confident that the Congress will form the government.”
The Battle for Julana
In the hard-fought Julana race, Phogat managed to secure victory with a margin of over 6,000 votes, a major feat for her first political campaign. Her competitors, both from BJP and AAP, are also well-known figures, adding to the significance of her win.
A Protestor Turned Politician
Vinesh Phogat made headlines last year when she led protests against BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, accusing him of harassment. After joining the Congress, Phogat expressed her gratitude for the party’s support during her struggles, stating, “In tough times, the Congress stood with us, understanding our pain and fighting for our cause.”
Phogat has said she hopes to represent the interests of athletes and ensure they don’t face the same struggles she did in her career.
Key Election Context
These Haryana elections have been a critical contest between the BJP and Congress. The results are set to influence political dynamics in the country ahead of other key state elections. Despite the BJP’s dominant position, Vinesh Phogat’s victory in Julana offers hope for the Congress as it seeks to build on this win in the coming months.
