‘Fight of Every Girl’: Vinesh Phogat Celebrates Julana Win in Haryana Election 2024
Vinesh Phogat, the celebrated wrestler-turned-Congress leader, has clinched a historic victory in the Julana constituency in the 2024 Haryana Assembly elections. Her win is being hailed as a symbol of women’s empowerment and the triumph of determination, not only for her but for every woman who dares to challenge the status quo.
After her win, Phogat took to social media to express her elation and gratitude, calling her victory “the fight of every girl, every woman who chooses the path to fight.” She emphasized that this win represents “the victory of every struggle and of truth.” Phogat, who had entered politics to bring about change in her community and beyond, said she would maintain the love and trust that the country has placed in her.
“This is the fight of every girl, every woman who chooses the path to fight. This is the victory of every struggle, of truth. I will maintain the love and trust that this country has given me,” Phogat said in her statement, resonating with women across the country who saw her as a beacon of hope.
A historic victory for Vinesh Phogat
Phogat’s victory in the Julana constituency is remarkable, especially considering this was her political debut. She ran as the Congress candidate against Yogesh Kumar of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), defeating him by a margin of 5,761 votes. This marked the first time the Congress won the Julana seat in 19 years, making Phogat’s win even more significant.
During the counting of votes, which began at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, Phogat initially trailed behind her rival. However, as the rounds progressed, she gained a lead that eventually secured her victory. After 15 rounds of counting, Phogat had accumulated 65,080 votes, while her closest opponent, Yogesh Kumar, received 59,319 votes. The margin, though not massive, was a clear indicator of her growing popularity and the people’s trust in her leadership.
Speaking after her win, Phogat displayed confidence not just in her own victory but in the Congress party’s potential to form the next government in Haryana. “These are early trends, wait for some time. Earlier, I was also trailing, but now I have won. Nothing is clear yet. The Congress party will form its government,” she said, optimistic about the broader success of her party in the state elections.
A struggle beyond politics
Vinesh Phogat’s political journey has been about more than just elections. A world-class wrestler with multiple accolades, Phogat has long been a symbol of resilience, determination, and the fight for women’s rights. Her transition into politics was seen as a natural extension of her desire to serve and uplift the people, especially women.
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Her fellow wrestler and Congress leader, Bajrang Punia, who had also joined the party just days before the election, took to social media to celebrate her victory. In a heartfelt post on X (formerly Twitter), Punia congratulated Phogat, calling her victory a win against “the strongest oppressive forces in the country.”
“Many congratulations to the country’s daughter Vinesh Phogat for her victory. This fight was not just for one Julana seat, it was not just with 3-4 other candidates, it was not just a fight between parties. This fight was against the strongest oppressive forces in the country. And Vinesh emerged victorious,” Punia wrote, praising her for her courage and determination.
Phogat’s win resonates deeply with her own journey in sports, where she had to fight against both societal pressures and institutional barriers to rise to the top. Her entry into politics, backed by the Congress, was seen as a way to extend her fight from the wrestling mat to the political arena, where she aims to advocate for the rights of women and marginalized communities.
The broader context
While Phogat’s victory is being celebrated, the overall trend in the Haryana Assembly elections indicates that the BJP is poised to win the state for the third consecutive term. Election Commission data shows the BJP leading in multiple constituencies, but the Congress is still hoping to make gains in key areas, including Julana.
The counting of votes for the elections, which were held on October 5, began early in the morning, and results are expected to trickle in by the end of the day. While Phogat’s win is already confirmed, the bigger question remains whether her party can translate this momentum into broader electoral success across Haryana.
As Vinesh Phogat steps into her new role as a legislator, her victory in Julana serves as a reminder of the power of perseverance, the importance of representation, and the potential for change in a deeply patriarchal society. Her success on the political stage is a powerful message to girls and women everywhere that their fight, too, can lead to triumph.
