In a candid revelation on the popular television show Aap Ki Adalat, boxing icon M.C. Mary Kom has disclosed that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) initially wanted her, and not her husband, to contest the 2022 Manipur Legislative Assembly elections. The six-time world champion shared details of the political maneuvering that ultimately led to her husband, Karung Onkholun, becoming the party's candidate.
The Political Pitch and a Change in Plan
Mary Kom stated that the BJP leadership approached her with an offer to run in the state polls. "The BJP wanted me to contest the elections, not my husband," she affirmed during the interview. However, the celebrated athlete, who has dedicated her life to boxing and sports, expressed her reluctance to enter the political fray directly at that juncture.
Following her decision, the party then turned its proposal towards her husband, Karung Onkholun. "Later, they asked my husband to contest," Mary Kom explained. Onkholun accepted the offer and was fielded by the BJP from the Kangpokpi (Singhat) Assembly constituency in the 2022 elections.
Electoral Outcome and Family Sacrifice
The electoral journey, however, did not culminate in victory. Karung Onkholun lost the election. Mary Kom highlighted the significant personal and financial investment her family made during the campaign. "We spent a lot of money from our own pocket. We did not take money from the party," she revealed, underscoring the personal commitment to the political endeavor.
Her testimony on the show paints a picture of a family that answered the call of a major national party, mobilizing its own resources, only to face a disappointing result. This insight provides a rare glimpse into the behind-the-scenes negotiations and sacrifices involved in political candidacies, even for families of national icons.
Context and Broader Implications
Mary Kom's revelation is significant as it sheds light on how political parties often seek to leverage the popularity and credibility of celebrated sports personalities. Her stature as a Rajya Sabha MP and a beloved national figure made her an attractive candidate for the BJP in Manipur, a state with a complex political landscape.
The decision to field her husband instead appears to have been a compromise, aiming to retain a connection to the Mary Kom brand while respecting her initial hesitation. The episode also raises questions about candidate selection processes and the expectations placed on the families of public figures in the political arena.
By choosing to share this story on a platform like Aap Ki Adalat, Mary Kom has brought transparency to a sequence of events that was previously unknown to the public. Her account stands as a testament to the intersection of sports, celebrity, and politics in contemporary India.
