Haryana Polls: Who Is Capt Yogesh Bairagi, BJP Candidate Pitted Against Olympian Vinesh Phogat

BJP has named Captain Yogesh Bairagi from the Julana seat. Bairagi, a new entrant, is the State Vice President of the BJP's youth wing and state Co-Convenor of BJP's Haryana Sports Cell.

The Bharatiya Janata Party on Tuesday announced the second list of 21 candidates for the upcoming Haryana elections. The party also announced the candidate from the crucial Julana seat, from where Congress candidate and wrestler Vinesh Phogat is contesting.

The party named Captain Yogesh Bairagi from the Julana seat. Bairagi, a new entrant, is the State Vice President of the BJP's youth wing and state Co-Convenor of BJP's Haryana Sports Cell, as per his Facebook account.

The BJP's list included former ministers Krishan Kumar Bedi and Manish Grover from Narwana and Rohtak seats. It also fielded Pawan Saini, considered close to Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, from the Naraingarh seat while Satpal Jamba has been nominated to fight the polls from from Pundri.  

The BJP earlier released its first list of 67 candidates for the 90-member Assembly last week (September 4), fielding Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini from the Ladwa seat.

Who Is Captain Yogesh Bairagi? 

Yogesh Bairagi has been an active leader of the BJP and been involved in crucial rescue and relief operations during the Chennai floods and stranded Indian nationals abroad during the Covid-19 pandemic.

A resident of the Safidon city in the Jind district of Haryana, 35-year-old Yogesh is currently serving as the Vice President of Haryana BJP's youth wing or the BJYM.

The Facebook profile of the BJP leader mentions him as a former pilot. He has served as a Captain in the Indian Army for nine years before switching his career into aviation. He later joined BJP, marking his entry into politics.

Yogesh Bairagi’s roots with the BJP can be traced to his father, Narendra Kumar, who was also a member of the party and previously sought a BJP ticket. 

He is married with one son and has a Bachelor’s degree.

All About Julana Seat

The Julana seat, from which Bairagi is contesting, was won by the JJP in 2019. However, the Indian National Lok Dal had remained dominant in the seat in 2014 and 2009 assembly polls.

While the Congress last won the seat in 2005, the BJP has not won the seat so far. 

This time, the Aam Aadmi Party has also fielded Kavita Dalal from Julana as the party released its fourth list on Wednesday.