Power dreams: Olympian Krishna Poonia hopes to get second-time lucky in poll arena
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Now I am an experienced hand at politics. The last five years have taught me how to strike a cord with the people. Moreover, sports taught me to be fighter, which is helping me to stay focused on my goal. KRISHNA POONIA, Olympian discus thrower
RAJGARH: It’s been eight years since Krishna Poonia became the first Indian woman athlete to clinch gold in Commonwealth Games but the fame she got with the triumph still gives her an edge while interacting with voters at Sadulpur constituency, a rural seat in the Rajasthan assembly.
A champion of women’s rights, the discus thrower makes it a point to remind women she meets on her campaigns trails about their strengths. “When I can achieve international glory in sports, despite coming from a rural background where preference is given to boys over girls, then why can’t their (referring to local women) kids, especially girls, achieve a similar feat. The only issue is that of opportunities. Over the years, nobody has thought of providing good schools, colleges and playing fields to rural areas and generations after generations suffering because of this,” says the 37-yearold, while talking about why she is hoping that women will vote for her in these elections.
Hailing from Agroha in Hisar, Haryana, she is married to athletics coach Virender Poonia, who belongs to Rajgarh, where this constituency falls. “The main issues that I am contesting for is development of roads, better educational institutes, stadium and health facilities in this part of the area,” said Poonia. “Safe drinking water is also a big issue in our area.”
Poonia, who failed to make it to the legislative assembly in her first attempt, is optimistic this time. “Last time I was new and people used to think that after elections, I wouldn’t stay with them. But nothing of that sort happened. I stayed with them for the last five years and tried to solve their problems,” said Poonia, who achieved all her international sporting glory post-marriage and after having a child.
“Now I am an experienced hand at politics. The last five years have taught me how to strike a cord with the people. Moreover, sports taught me to be a fighter and have a never-say-die attitude, which is helping me to stay focused on my goal,” she added.
In 2013, she finished third in the elections. This time again, she is facing a stiff competition from former member of Parliament Ram Singh Kaswan, who is contesting on a BJP ticket, and sitting BSP MLA Manoj Kumar Nyangali.