Vinesh Phogat, wrestler-turned-politician, emerged as the most-searched personality in Google India’s ‘Year In Search 2024’ report.
Phogat, alongside Olympians Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia, led last year’s protest against former Wrestling Federation of India chief and BJP member Brijbhushan Sharan Singh. At the Paris Olympics, she qualified for the final but was disqualified due to being overweight. Her appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport was dismissed.
Upon her return, Vinesh joined the Congress and contested Haryana elections. Although the party lost to the BJP, she secured victory in the Julana constituency.
Second place went to Bihar CM Nitish Kumar, who rejoined the BJP-led NDA in January. With 12 seats, his Janata Dal (United) is a pivotal BJP ally after the latter lost its Lok Sabha majority for the first time since 2014.
Chirag Paswan, Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) leader and BJP ally, ranked third. A former actor, Paswan now serves as a minister in the central government.
Fourth on the list was India allrounder Hardik Pandya, who faced IPL backlash for replacing Rohit Sharma as Mumbai Indians’ captain. Pandya delivered the final over in India’s victory against South Africa in the World T20 final.
Also Read: ‘Jahan Jaaegi, Satyanaash..’: Brij Bhushan Reacts To Vinesh Phogats Win In Haryana
“Power Star” Pawan Kalyan, Janasena Party leader and Andhra Pradesh deputy CM in the NDA government, secured fifth place.
The sixth to tenth spots were occupied by cricketer Shashank Singh, model Poonam Pandey, business leader Radhika Merchant, cricketer Abhishek Sharma, and badminton ace Lakshya Sen, respectively.
