Pinning down saffron

In her first political bout, Vinesh Phogat rides on the anti-BJP sentiment across Haryana

- MOHIT SHARMA

ON THE CAMPAIGN trail at Karsola village in poll-bound Haryana's Jind district is the Congress's most talked-about candidate, Vinesh Phogat. The ace wrestler is trying to deliver a speech. Her voice is hoarse-the hectic campaign has given her an inflamed larynx.

Vinesh soon cuts short her struggle, steps down the dais and makes her way to a group of women in the audience. They embrace Vinesh. "Ye ladki jitegi, pakka (This girl will win for certain)," says one. Vinesh smiles, masking her exhaustion, and poses for selfies with the youth.

Vinesh, who is contesting from Julana, is expected to win her maiden political contest, largely because of her Congress affiliation. "Not just this seat, the Congress will effortlessly form government," said Nikhil Lathar, 20, who wants more job opportunities.

Vinesh leaves Karsola in her new SUV, which still bears a temporary number plate. Her convoy proceeds to the next stop, Shamlo Kalan. A tractor rally is scheduled in-between.

From pehalwan to protester to politician, Vinesh has had a roller coaster ride. As a child, she had faced discriminatory cultural norms that forbade women from participating in sports. What worked in her favour was her background-Mahavir Phogat of Dangal fame is her uncle.

After finishing school at Jhojhu Kalan, she continued her studies and diligently began training for wrestling. She was recently at the forefront of an agitation against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, BJP MP and former Wrestling Federation of India chief, who has been accused of sexually harassing women wrestlers.