Kavita Dalal, known as Lady Khali in the wrestling world, took a bold step into politics by contesting the 2024 Haryana Assembly Elections from the Julana seat. After years of fame in WWE, she decided to try her luck in a different kind of competition. However, her foray into politics didn’t go as planned, as she secured only 1280 votes, a far cry from the winning number.
Vinesh Phogat’s Victory Over Lady Khali
The Julana Assembly seat drew attention due to two prominent sports personalities. Wrestler Vinesh Phogat, a 2024 Paris Olympics contender, stood for election representing the Congress party. On the other side, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) fielded Kavita Dalal. Despite her global wrestling fame, Kavita struggled to compete against Vinesh in the political arena.
While Vinesh Phogat received an impressive 65,080 votes, Kavita Dalal fell behind with only 1280 votes, standing fifth among the 12 candidates. The margin between Vinesh Phogat and the second-place candidate was just 6015 votes, showing a competitive election, though Kavita was unable to make any significant impact.
Kavita Dalal’s Wrestling Career
Kavita Dalal is not new to tough challenges. Trained by India’s biggest wrestling star, The Great Khali, she became the first Indian woman to compete in WWE. Her journey began in 2016 when she joined Khali’s wrestling school, Continental Wrestling Entertainment (CWE). With determination and hard work, she earned a WWE contract in 2017, where she took on the ring name Kavita Devi.
Her most notable WWE moment came in 2018 when she competed in WrestleMania’s women’s battle royal. Although she didn’t win, her participation marked a significant milestone for Indian women in wrestling. She also appeared in WWE NXT events before being released by WWE in 2021 after her contract expired.
From WWE to Politics: The Big Gamble
Kavita’s move from wrestling to politics raised many eyebrows. With a strong fan following from her WWE days, many hoped her popularity would give her an edge in the elections. However, politics proved to be a different battlefield, and her wrestling fame didn’t translate into electoral success.
It’s worth noting that her entry into politics wasn’t entirely smooth. Competing against a strong opponent like Vinesh Phogat, who is deeply connected to the people of Haryana due to her sports achievements and family’s wrestling legacy, made it difficult for Kavita to gain traction.
The Road Ahead for Kavita Dalal
Despite the setback, Kavita Dalal’s journey is a story of resilience and ambition. From the wrestling ring to the political stage, she has continually pushed herself into new territories. Though her political debut didn’t go as planned, Kavita may yet have other plans for her future.
For now, her loss in the Haryana Assembly Elections has made it clear that transitioning from sports to politics is a challenging journey, even for a globally recognized figure like Lady Khali.
