Vinesh Phogat's Historic Victory in Julana Constituency: A New Era for Congress- Former Olympian wrestler and newly minted politician Vinesh Phogat has made headlines by securing a remarkable victory in the Julana constituency. On Tuesday, she emerged victorious with over 6,000 votes, marking a significant milestone for both her career and the Congress party.

Phogat's win is particularly noteworthy as it ends a long drought for the Congress party in this constituency. The party last held the seat back in 2005, making Phogat's triumph a historic moment in Haryana's political landscape. This victory not only showcases her personal achievements but also signifies a potential revival for the Congress party, which has faced challenges in recent years.

Phogat's journey from an acclaimed wrestler to a successful politician has inspired many. Her ability to connect with voters, along with her commitment to addressing their concerns, played a crucial role in her victory. Phogat campaigned vigorously, advocating for issues that resonate with the local populace, particularly the challenges faced by women and young athletes in Haryana.

With this win, Phogat becomes a symbol of hope for the Congress party, suggesting a shift in voter sentiment and a potential resurgence for the party in Haryana. Her victory is expected to have significant implications for women's representation in politics, especially in a state known for its strong wrestling culture.

As Phogat takes her place in the assembly, many are eager to see how she will leverage her platform to advocate for change and inspire future generations of female athletes and leaders in Haryana.

In 2024, Vinesh Phogat is making waves not only for her wrestling accomplishments but also for her new role in politics. After a disappointing performance at the Paris Olympics, where she was disqualified from the women’s 50-kilogram freestyle final for being slightly overweight, Phogat joined the Congress party. She is now competing in the assembly elections for the Julana constituency in Jind district. Recent updates indicate that she is in a close contest with BJP candidate Yogesh Bairagi, who is trailing her by just 38 votes.

Phogat, originally from Charkhi Dadri, gained fame by defeating Japan's four-time world champion Yui Susaki before her Olympic setback. Her entry into politics is significant, as she becomes a trailblazer among female wrestlers, following her cousin Babita Phogat, who unsuccessfully ran for office in 2019 from the same area.

Donning a traditional salwar-kameez and dupatta, Vinesh Phogat is embracing her new role as a political candidate in her in-laws' town. However, her transition into politics has been more challenging than she expected. Running on a Congress ticket in the unpredictable Julana constituency, Phogat has adeptly navigated a competitive political environment.

Over the past two months, Phogat has worked hard to connect with local voters by speaking in their dialect. She passionately urged them, “Thamne mera nishan bhi bera hai ke nai, haath ka nishan hai, seedha thappad lagna chahiye aur iski awaj Dilli tak jani chahiye,” which translates to, “You all know my symbol, right? It’s the hand. Make your vote heard all the way to Delhi.” She encouraged women to send a strong message to her opponents through their votes.

A Competitive Race in Julana

Yogesh Bairagi, Phogat’s opponent, brings a diverse background as a former Indian Army captain and commercial pilot. He currently serves as the president of the BJP’s Haryana youth wing and poses a strong challenge for Phogat.

Additionally, AAP’s Kavita Dalal, a former WWE wrestler, has significant influence in six key villages, which could divert votes away from Phogat. Other contenders include Amarjit Dhanda, the sitting MLA from the JJP, and Surinder Lathar from the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD), further complicating the race and dividing the Jat voter base.

The Julana constituency has a substantial Jat population, with around 82,000 Jat voters. Although Phogat is a prominent figure from this region, the presence of other strong Jat candidates makes her path to victory more complicated.

Implications for Women Wrestlers

The election results are particularly important for female wrestlers in Haryana, many of whom are reconsidering their careers due to recent protests against sexual harassment within the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI).

These protests, led by top wrestlers including Phogat, Sakshi Malik, and Bajrang Punia, have called for the resignation of former WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who faces allegations of harassing junior women wrestlers. This movement has led to a decline in participation among young female wrestlers, and many hope that Phogat can advocate for their return to the sport if she wins.

Election Day Updates

The Haryana assembly elections took place on October 5, with results for the Julana constituency and 89 others expected to be announced on October 8. Julana, a central region in Haryana, serves as the administrative hub of Julana Tehsil. The constituency was previously held by Amarjeet Dhanda of the Jannayak Janta Party, who received 61,942 votes in 2019. Current trends indicate that Phogat has taken the lead with 5,909 votes after 15 rounds of counting, while Yogesh Bairagi trails significantly.

As of the latest data from the Election Commission, the ruling BJP appears to be on track for a third consecutive victory in Haryana, leading in 48 seats compared to Congress, which is ahead in 35 seats. Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini is leading in the Ladwa constituency, while Bhupinder Singh Hooda is ahead in the Garhi Sampla-Kiloi seat.

Concerns Over Transparency

Despite these trends, Congress has raised concerns about the electoral process, pointing out discrepancies in the vote count data. Congress General Secretary Communications Pawan Khera stated, “There is a mismatch in the actual number of rounds counted and the number of rounds being shown on the television through the Election Commission data. The EC data is lagging behind; they are still showing fourth or fifth round data while 11 rounds have been counted.” Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh further criticized the Election Commission for its transparency.

As the vote counting continues, the election results will reveal if Vinesh Phogat's political journey will culminate in victory in this contentious electoral environment. The outcome will significantly impact her career and the future of women’s wrestling in Haryana, particularly amid the ongoing challenges faced by the sport.

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