Congress releases list of 31 candidates for Haryana elections; Vinesh Phogat fielded from Julana

Congress Releases List of 31 Candidates for Haryana Elections; Vinesh Phogat Fielded from Julana

The Congress party has released its first list of 31 candidates for the upcoming Haryana Assembly elections, showcasing a blend of seasoned politicians and fresh faces. Notably, wrestler Vinesh Phogat has been fielded from the Julana constituency, just hours after officially joining the party along with fellow wrestler Bajrang Punia. This move signals Congress’s strategic decision to bring in prominent figures from sports, especially those who resonate with the youth and rural voters.

Phogat, a celebrated athlete, is expected to bring a significant voter base from her home region, with her wrestling achievements and popularity making her a strong contender. Her nomination marks a shift in the Congress’s strategy, aiming to expand its appeal by introducing non-political figures into the electoral race.

In addition to Phogat, the list includes several key political figures, with former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda being fielded from his traditional stronghold, the Garhi Sampla-Kiloi seat. Hooda remains one of the most influential leaders within the state Congress and will be crucial in spearheading the party’s campaign against the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Other significant names in the Congress lineup include Surender Panwar from Sonipat, Jagbir Singh Malik from Gohana, and Bharat Bhushan Batra from Rohtak. Haryana Congress chief Udai Bhan will contest the elections from the Hodal seat, a constituency with substantial importance for the party. Meanwhile, Mewa Singh has been chosen to challenge Haryana Chief Minister and BJP leader Nayab Saini in Ladwa, setting up a highly anticipated contest in this key constituency.

From Badli, the Congress has selected Kuldeep Vata, while Geeta Bhukkal has been fielded from Jhajjar, a seat reserved for Scheduled Castes (SC). Chiranjeev Rao, another influential figure, has been nominated from Rewari, while Aftab Ahmed will represent the party from Nuh, and Neeraj Sharma will contest from Faridabad NIT.

The release of this list follows a crucial meeting of the Central Election Committee (CEC) of the Congress, held in Delhi. The meeting saw the attendance of senior party leaders, including Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, former party chief Sonia Gandhi, party general secretary in-charge of organisation K C Venugopal, All India Congress Committee (AICC) in-charge of Haryana Deepak Babaria, and Bhupinder Singh Hooda. The finalization of the candidate list reflects the party’s strategic deliberations to challenge the BJP, which has been in power in Haryana for the past decade.

With the Haryana Assembly elections scheduled for October 5 and vote counting set for October 8, the Congress’s candidate announcement comes at a critical time. The nomination process will close on September 12, with scrutiny of the papers on September 13. Candidates can withdraw their nominations by September 16, setting the stage for the electoral battle.

Earlier this week, the BJP announced its own list of 67 candidates, betting on a mix of 21 sitting legislators while also introducing 20 new faces to the fray. In an attempt to counteract anti-incumbency sentiments after 10 years in power, the BJP dropped at least eight sitting MLAs. This highlights the challenge that the party faces in retaining its stronghold in Haryana, especially amid growing discontent over governance issues and economic challenges in the state.

The Congress, meanwhile, hopes to capitalize on the perceived vulnerabilities of the BJP government by offering a fresh and diverse slate of candidates. The inclusion of prominent figures like Vinesh Phogat, coupled with established political leaders such as Bhupinder Singh Hooda, indicates that the party is strategically targeting a wide voter base, from rural to urban areas and from youth to experienced voters.

As the Haryana elections draw closer, the race between the Congress and BJP is expected to intensify, with both parties pulling out all stops to secure victory. For the Congress, this election represents a crucial opportunity to regain ground in a state that has seen the BJP dominate for the past decade. Whether the strategy of blending sports icons with political heavyweights will succeed remains to be seen, but for now, Congress appears poised for a competitive contest.