TNFChandigarh/ Anil Kakkar
In Haryana’s ongoing assembly elections, sports personalities are once again in the political arena, aiming to translate their athletic prowess into electoral success. As the state votes for its 90 assembly seats, several former athletes are vying for political positions, reflecting a recurring trend seen in the 2019 elections.
Among the notable sports figures this year are:
- Deepak Hooda: A former Kabaddi star, Deepak Hooda, is running for the BJP from the Maham constituency. Known as the “Dubki King,” Hooda captained the Indian Kabaddi team to a gold medal at the 2016 South Asian Games. Despite his athletic achievements, Hooda’s candidacy has faced local backlash, with several BJP leaders in Maham resigning in protest, claiming that an outsider like Hooda should not be given a ticket.
- Aarti Rao: An accomplished shooter with medals from the Asian Games and Commonwealth Games, Aarti Rao is contesting from the Ateli seat in Mahendergarh on a BJP ticket. Rao’s entry into politics has not been without controversy; local opposition has arisen, criticizing her as an outsider in a constituency where the demand is for a local candidate.
- Vinesh Phogat: A renowned wrestler and a key figure in the #MeToo movement, Vinesh Phogat has joined Congress and is contesting from the Julana constituency, which is also her in-laws’ home turf. Her strong connections within the Jat community and her reputation as a champion wrestler are seen as significant advantages.
Past Trends and Current Dynamics:
The scenario for athletes in Haryana politics is not entirely new. In the 2019 elections, several sports personalities entered the fray:
- Sandeep Singh: The former hockey player and BJP candidate won from the Pehowa seat. However, Singh’s political career has been marred by controversy, including allegations of sexual harassment that led to his resignation as Sports Minister.
- Babita Phogat: The wrestler and BJP candidate lost in the Dadri constituency to an independent candidate. Despite her sports accolades, she could not secure a win.
- Yogeshwar Dutt: The Olympic medalist ran for the Baroda seat but lost to Congress’s Shrikant Hudda. Dutt’s defeat highlighted the challenges athletes face when transitioning from sports to politics.
Other Athletes Who Tried Their Luck:
- Ranbir Singh Mahendra: Former BCCI President, Mahendra ran on a Congress ticket from the Badli seat but lost to JJP’s Naina Chautala.
- Krishnamurthi Hooda: A former cricketer who played for Punjab and Haryana, Hooda transitioned to politics and served as a Congress MLA from Kiloi, illustrating the potential for sports figures to succeed in politics.
The Path Forward:
As Haryana’s assembly elections unfold, the participation of sports stars highlights both opportunities and challenges. While athletes like Deepak Hooda and Aarti Rao bring their sports legacy into the political domain, they also face the difficult task of proving their mettle in a vastly different arena. The results of this election could offer new insights into whether sports celebrities can effectively transition into political leadership or if they will face the same hurdles as their predecessors.
