Yogeshwar Dutt files nomination from Baroda ahead of Haryana elections

Olympic medallist and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Yogeshwar Dutt files his nomination from Baroda for the upcoming Haryana Assembly polls in the presence of Union Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju on Friday. The BJP on September 30 released the first list of candidates who will contest from various seats in the State and included Dutt's name along with Babita Phogat and former hockey captain Sandeep Singh. Yogeshwar Dutt has joined the BJP on September 26.

Earlier while speaking to Republic TV, Dutt said that he wants to play this innings of his political life with the same honesty with which he wrestled for India. Dutt referred to the upcoming Haryana assembly elections which he will contest from the Baroda constituency as a BJP candidate. Dutt said that the country has showered him with a lot of love and respect and that is why he wishes to serve the country now. He also said that it was because of similar ideologies that he joined the BJP. 

READ | BJP's Yogeshwar Dutt On Poll Debut: 'Different Innings, Same Honesty'

Sports stars join BJP ahead of Assembly polls 

Ahead of the Haryana assembly polls, several sports stars have joined the BJP. Olympic wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt and former Indian Hockey captain Sandeep Singh joined the saffron party on September 26. Earlier on August 12, wrestler Babita Phogat and her father Mahavir Phogat joined BJP in presence of Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Kiren Rijiju.

READ | Haryana Elections: Yogeshwar Dutt & Babita Phogat Get BJP Poll Tickets

Haryana Assembly elections

As announced by the Election Commission, the assembly elections in Haryana will be taking place in a single phase on October 21, along with Maharashtra assembly polls. The counting of votes will take place on October 24. BJP, under the leadership of PM Modi and party chief Amit Shah, is gearing for the assembly polls with rallies and processions.

READ | Yogeshwar Dutt On Joining BJP: 'I Want To Work For The Nation'

READ | Hockey Player Sandeep Singh Joins BJP Ahead Of Assembly Elections

(With ANI inputs)