Wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia are set to join the Indian National Congress today at 1:30 pm, ahead of the upcoming Haryana Assembly elections. This decision follows their meeting with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in New Delhi on September 4.
Punia and Phogat were among the wrestlers who protested against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, former BJP MP and then president of the Wrestling Federation of India, accusing him of harassing several young female wrestlers.
After their meeting with Gandhi, several opposition leaders made statements, including BJP MP and Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar. “I think our athletes got trapped in a political maze during the protests. What started back then is reaching its climax now. The wrestlers’ protests were politically motivated. These people (wrestlers) are seeking a ticket from the Congress. This means that there is a nexus. If it wasn’t clear then, it is absolutely clear now,” news agency ANI reported.
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The Congress party has swiftly brought the wrestlers on board, aiming to leverage the growing anti-incumbency sentiment in Haryana. The involvement of these veteran athletes in politics could also help Congress secure support from the Jat community.
Last month, when Vinesh Phogat missed out on an Olympic medal due to disqualification, Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Hooda suggested offering her a Rajya Sabha seat in recognition of her achievements. However, Phogat was ineligible due to age restrictions.
The Haryana Assembly elections are scheduled for October 5, 2024, with votes being counted on October 8.
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