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Vinesh Phogat, a prominent wrestler and now a Congress leader, has expressed unwavering confidence in securing the Julana seat in the upcoming Haryana Assembly elections. During her campaign kickoff in the Jind region on Sunday, she emphasized the paramount importance of gaining the trust and support of the people, a trust she believes she already holds. Phogat asserted, "It feels good, people are very excited, the responsibility we have been given, the Congress party has sent us here as candidates, so people are giving us love and supporting us. Our people will make me win, and I am a winner in their eyes, so nothing can be bigger than this."
The atmosphere surrounding her campaign launch was electric, with a large crowd eager to witness her arrival. As Phogat stood atop a car, she received blessings from the supporters, while the air was filled with the rhythmic beats of a dhol and chants of "Vinesh Phogat zindabad." This enthusiastic reception underscored the widespread support she enjoys within the community.
Phogat's confidence is undeterred by allegations leveled by Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, a former BJP MP and Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief. Singh had claimed that Phogat and Bajrang Punia were merely pawns in a "conspiracy" orchestrated by the Congress against the BJP. Phogat dismissed these accusations, stating, "Brij Bhushan is not the country. My country and my loved ones stand by me, and their support matters most to me."
During her public meeting in Jind, Phogat extended gratitude to the Congress party for their unwavering support of the wrestlers, particularly recalling Priyanka Gandhi's visit to Jantar Mantar to show solidarity with them during a difficult time. "We will inaugurate our office the day after tomorrow...The country has given me a lot. Whatever I am today is because of wrestling. I want to thank the Congress party a lot. Not only because they gave me the ticket but when we were sitting on the road, Priyanka Gandhi came to us. At that time we felt that we should leave our country but she (Priyanka Gandhi) said that we should not lose courage and we should answer these people through wrestling," she said.
The Haryana Assembly elections are scheduled for October 5, with the last day for filing nominations being September 12. The vote counting will take place on October 8. In the 2019 assembly polls, the BJP emerged as the single-largest party with 40 seats, while the Congress secured 30 seats. Vinesh Phogat's entry into the political arena adds another dimension to these elections, with her popularity and unwavering spirit potentially influencing the outcome.