Haryana Election 2024: Congress Unveils First List of Candidates, Vinesh Phogat to Contest from Julana
As Haryana gears up for the Assembly elections, the Congress party has made its initial move by announcing its first list of 31 candidates. This list is notable not just for its inclusion of veteran politicians but also for introducing new faces, including prominent wrestler Vinesh Phogat, who will be contesting from the Julana constituency.
Phogat’s entry into the political arena comes shortly after she joined the Congress party, making her nomination a significant talking point. Known for her outstanding achievements in wrestling, Phogat’s candidacy represents a strategic move by Congress to capitalize on her popularity and influence.
Among the other key candidates named, former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda is set to run from the Garhi Sampla-Kiloi seat. His inclusion underscores the Congress’s strategy to leverage established leadership to regain ground in the upcoming elections. In addition to Hooda, several other notable figures are on the list: Surender Panwar will contest from Sonipat, Jagbir Singh Malik from Gohana, and Bharat Bhushan Batra from Rohtak. Haryana Congress chief Udai Bhan is also in the fray, vying for the Hodal seat.
Congress leader Mewa Singh will challenge Haryana’s current Chief Minister, Nayab Singh Saini, for the Ladwa assembly seat. This contest is expected to be one of the most closely watched battles of the election, given the high profile of both candidates.
In response to Congress’s announcement, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) released its own list of 67 candidates earlier in the week. The BJP’s lineup includes Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, running from Ladwa, former minister Anil Vij from Ambala Cantt, and Bhavya Bishnoi from Adampur. Notably, the BJP has also fielded Aarti Rao, daughter of Rao Inderjit Singh, reflecting the party’s focus on dynastic political figures.
The Haryana Assembly elections are scheduled for October 5, with results to be declared on October 8. The deadline for filing nominations is September 12, followed by scrutiny of papers on September 13. As both major parties finalize their candidates, the political landscape in Haryana is heating up, setting the stage for a competitive and high-stakes election season.
