Wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt, who won the bronze medal in Olympics 2012, has made his entry into politics. He will contest elections on the BJP’s ticket from Baroda.
On his campaign trail, The Quint spoke to Yogeshwar Dutt on a variety of topics ranging from his choice to join the BJP, employment, inflation and his poll preparations.
On being asked why he joined BJP instead of Congress or any other party, he said:
"Bharatiya Janta Party is a nationalist party and always gives maximum priority to the nation. My thoughts coincide with that of the BJP. That is why I have become a part of the BJP family."
Celebrities easily get tickets to enter into politics while ground workers get nothing. What do you have to say on this?
That is very wrong. I belong here and I have worked hard here. It is a different matter that I wasn’t associated with any party. But I have been here since childhood. I have been with these people. And this is a matter of who does what for the country. The party looks at everything and then gives the ticket.
However, the BJP has never won the Baroda seat. The Congress has been winning the Baroda seat for two consecutive terms. In such a situation, the battle is not going to be easy for Yogeshwar.
BJP has never won from here. The Congress has been winning the last two terms. How difficult is it for you to contest from this seat?
It is not difficult for me. This is my area and these are my people. I have fans, my well wishers. This time you will see everything changed. BJP will come to power here.
What are your plans after winning the election?
If I win, the first thing I will fix is the problem of water here. We will also talk about sports, education and women empowerment.
Yogeshwar is fighting elections against Shri Krishna Hooda, the current Congress MLA. Elections will be held for 90 seats in Haryana on 21 October and the results will come on 24 October.
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