Wrestlers Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia join Congress
Wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia joined the Indian National Congress on Friday, ahead of the Haryana Assembly elections. The development comes mere days after the two wrestlers met with Rahul Gandhi in New Delhi on September 4. Before joining the Congress, Phogat resigned from her position as an Officer on Special Duty (OSD) with the Indian Railways and also met Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge at his residence.
They met Kharge at his residence
Congress hopes to capitalize on anti-incumbency sentiment
The Congress party has swiftly secured these candidates, hoping to leverage the anti-incumbency sentiment brewing in Haryana. The introduction of these seasoned wrestlers into electoral politics could potentially enhance Congress's appeal among Jat voters. Last month, following Phogat's unfortunate Olympic disqualification, Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Hooda suggested offering her a Rajya Sabha seat in honor of her accomplishments. However, she was ineligible due to age restrictions.
Wrestlers to contest in upcoming Haryana Assembly election
Both the wrestlers had actively taken part in last year's protest against Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who has been accused of harassing several young junior wrestlers. Phogat announced her retirement from sports a day after she was disqualified from the 50 kg gold medal match at the Olympics for being 100 gms overweight. Since her return, there has been much speculation that she will join active politics like her cousin Babita Phogat, a BJP MLA.
Phogat's connection with Haryana farmers could benefit Congress
She had also met Congress politician and former CM of Haryana Bhupendra Singh Hooda at his New Delhi residence last month. After her meeting with Hooda, she joined the farmers' protest at the Shambhu border. At the time, she refused to answer any questions about her potential political career with the Congress in Haryana, saying the focus should be on the farmers instead. The polling date for the Haryana Assembly elections is set for October 5.
