The Impressive TimesIn the lead-up to the 2024 Haryana Assembly Elections, notable wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia are anticipated to make their political debut as Congress candidates. According to various reports, Phogat is likely to contest from the Julana constituency, while Punia is expected to be the candidate for the Badli constituency. The Congress Central Election Committee is expected to finalize their nominations shortly, with an official announcement anticipated within the next few days.
The speculation about their candidacies intensified following a recent meeting between Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia, and former Congress president Rahul Gandhi in Delhi. The Congress party has not yet officially confirmed the news, but AICC General Secretary in charge of Haryana, Deepak Babaria, hinted that clarity regarding their candidacy would be provided by Thursday. The party’s silence on the matter has only fueled further speculation, as the wrestling stars are seen as high-profile candidates who could bolster Congress’s position in the state.
Badli, the constituency likely to be contested by Bajrang Punia, is currently held by the Congress and has been identified as a strategic seat that the party hopes to retain. On the other hand, the Julana constituency, where Vinesh Phogat is expected to run, is currently represented by Amarjeet Dhanda of the Jannayak Janta Party (JJP). This makes it a challenging but potentially rewarding seat for Congress to capture, especially with a candidate of Phogat’s stature.
Vinesh Phogat, a highly decorated wrestler, initially expressed a strong interest in running from the Julana seat, as reported by sources close to the party. The Congress leadership had reportedly considered fielding her in a constituency closer to Gurgaon, a more urban area that could potentially offer her a stronger base of support. However, Phogat’s preference for Julana appears to have been taken into account, reflecting her deep connection with the area.
The involvement of these two athletes in politics is significant, given their recent history of activism. Both Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia were prominent figures in the protests against BJP leader Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who faced allegations of sexual harassment. Their participation in these protests garnered significant attention and highlighted their willingness to stand up for social justice, qualities that could resonate with voters.
Vinesh Phogat’s move into politics also follows her recent announcement of retirement from wrestling. After being disqualified from a gold medal match for being slightly overweight, she decided to step back from her sporting career. This announcement led to widespread speculation that she might enter the political arena, following in the footsteps of her cousin, Babita Phogat, who is a BJP MLA. Phogat’s transition from sports to politics mirrors a broader trend of athletes leveraging their fame and public goodwill to pursue careers in public service.
Meanwhile, the Congress party is also engaged in talks with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) regarding a potential seat-sharing arrangement for the Haryana elections. This move could be seen as part of a broader strategy to consolidate opposition forces against the ruling BJP. The Congress and AAP had previously collaborated as part of the INDIA bloc alliance during the Lok Sabha elections, and their partnership in the Haryana Assembly elections could further strengthen their position.
To facilitate the seat-sharing discussions, the Congress has established a three-member committee, which includes the party’s screening committee chairman for Haryana, Ajay Maken, AICC in-charge of Haryana Deepak Babaria, and former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda. This committee is tasked with negotiating the terms of the alliance with AAP and the Samajwadi Party, aiming to maximize the chances of victory across the state.
The Haryana Assembly elections are set to take place on October 5, with the counting of votes scheduled for October 8. As the election date approaches, the involvement of high-profile candidates like Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia could significantly impact the electoral landscape, drawing considerable attention to their respective constituencies and the Congress party’s broader campaign efforts.
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