Vinesh Phogat Triumphs in Julana, ends 19-year wait

Haryana | Desk: Wrestler-turned-politician Vinesh Phogat secured a decisive victory in the Julana seat of the Haryana Assembly, winning by a margin of 6,015 votes in her maiden election.

Phogat defeated BJP rival Yogesh Kumar in this closely watched contest.

Vinesh Phogat received 65,080 votes, while Yogesh Kumar got 59,065 votes.

Notably, the Congress last won this seat in 2005, and Phogat’s win marks the party’s return to the constituency after 19 years.

Haryana held its elections in a single phase on October 5, with a voter turnout of 67.90%. The Julana constituency recorded a significantly higher turnout of 74.66%.

Congress party candidate Phogat was in the fray against former Army Captain and BJP candidate Yogesh Bairagi on the Julana seat, but other candidates were also strong against her.

Among prominent candidates, Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, Congress leaders Bhupinder Singh Hooda, Vinesh Phogat, and Udai Bhan, along with Independent candidate Savitri Jindal, were leading in their respective constituencies.

Meanwhile, senior BJP leader Anil Vij, INLD’s Abhay Singh Chautala, and JJP’s Dushyant Chautala were trailing.

Olympians Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia, celebrated for their sporting achievements and their leadership in the wrestlers’ protest against former WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, entered politics last month by joining the Congress.