Congress candidate from Julana seat for Haryana assembly elections and veteran wrestler Vinesh Phogat will start her campaign on Sunday from her husband’s native village i.e. her in-laws’ house Bakta Kheda. Here she will address a meeting. There are seven Khap Panchayats in this village, including the Rathi community, who are ready to welcome her.
Julana seat, located in the Jat-dominated Bangar area of ​​Haryana, has long been occupied by parties like the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) and the Jannayak Janata Party (JJP). These two parties have been occupying this seat for the last 15 years. INLD’s Parminder Singh won this seat in 2009 and 2014. JJP’s Amarjeet Dhanda won this seat in 2019.
Julana has become a big seat with Vinesh Phogat joining the Congress as a sports star and Jat representative. Speaking to India Today, Vinesh’s father-in-law Rajpal Rathi said that the Chugama Khap representing six villages (Gharwali, Kheda Bakhta, Jamola, Karela, Jaijaiwanti and Gherti) and the Khap of the Rathi community will be present to welcome her.
Phogat, along with wrestler Bajrang Punia, joined the Congress on Friday and was named in the first list of candidates released by the party. The wrestler, who was at the forefront of protests against then Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief and BJP leader Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, has vowed to “not be afraid and not back down” as she enters politics.
Calling it the beginning of a “new innings”, Phogat said she will stay among the people and ensure their welfare. She said the Congress will stand with women whenever they face any problem.