Julana Showdown: Vinesh Phogat vs. Yogesh Bairagi in Haryana Elections!

The Julana assembly seat in Jind district, Haryana, is witnessing a thrilling political contest between Congress candidate and renowned wrestler Vinesh Phogat and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Captain Yogesh Bairagi. This battle has garnered attention owing to the backgrounds of both candidates, with Phogat transitioning from sports to politics and Bairagi marking his entry into the political arena after leaving his job at Air India.

As a relatively young leader, Captain Yogesh Bairagi was included in the second list of BJP candidates for the Haryana elections released on Tuesday. Currently, he serves as the vice-president of the Haryana unit of the BJP Yuva Morcha, showcasing his active involvement in the party’s youth wing and hinting at his potential for future leadership roles.

Julana is a constituency predominantly inhabited by the Jat community, and this makes the political dynamics even more intriguing. Bairagi expressed gratitude towards the party leadership for the opportunity to contest from Julana and emphasized his commitment to work tirelessly for the party’s success in the upcoming elections.

The prominence of Julana increased as the Congress chose to field Phogat, particularly given her roots in wrestling and her status as a trailblazer in the sport. Although Vinesh hails from Balali in the Charkhi Dadri district, her in-laws reside in Julana, specifically in Bakhta Kheda village, which is her husband’s ancestral village, providing her a local connection to this constituency.

Vinesh Phogat, the first female wrestler from India to compete in an Olympic final, boasts an impressive record in sports. However, her journey took a turn when she was disqualified shortly after reaching the Olympic finals due to being slightly overweight. This marked a significant moment in her career, leading her to retire from wrestling and explore a path in politics.

Recently, Phogat, alongside fellow wrestler Bajrang Punia, became a prominent figure during the wrestlers’ protest against the former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief and ex-BJP MP, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. Punia’s accolades, including a bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics, further amplify the wrestling community’s interest in this electoral battle.

Voters will head to the polls for the 90-member Haryana assembly on October 5, with the counting of votes scheduled for October 8. This timeline is crucial as both candidates prepare to galvanize their supporters and secure a victory in this highly competitive constituency.