Journalism of Courage
Discus thrower Krishna Poonia,who won gold at the 2010 Commonwealth Games,is poised to join the Congress party in poll-bound Rajasthan. She is likely to contest the Assembly elections from Sardulpur constituency in Churu district.
Sources in the Congress confirmed that Poonia is all set to join the party and is likely to be formally inducted at a rally on September 22 in Barmer after UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi lays the foundation stone for an oil refinery in Pachpadra. Insiders said Poonia was approached by the BJP too and was in talks with state party chief Vasundhara Raje,but chose to join the Congress.
The Padma Shri and Arjuna awardee is married into a family in Gagarwas village in Churu district and has been a popular face in the area owing to her performances in national and international competitions. The Ashok Gehlot government had honoured her with cash rewards and also a house on winning the gold at the Commonwealth Games. Poonia,who works in the railways,had also been offered a job of deputy superintendent of police,but she had declined it.
Poonias induction into the party is aimed at getting Jat votes in the state. With a woman candidate of Poonias stature contesting in the area,the Congress is hoping to see a change in the voting pattern.
