Phogat, Punia to enter Haryana poll fray? Wrestlers meet Rahul
What's the story
A day after Deepak Babaria, the All India Congress Committee (AICC) in charge for Haryana, mentioned the possibility of fielding Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia in the upcoming state elections, the wrestlers met with Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi in Delhi. Phogat and Punia held discussions with the Congress high command at 10 Janpath on Wednesday. Reports suggest that Congress has offered Phogat two seats—Charkhi Dadri and Julana—for the state polls.
Seat offer
Hooda also in touch with Phogat
Reports also said that Congress MP Deepender Singh Hooda has been in contact with Phogat. When asked about Phogat's potential candidacy in the Haryana assembly elections, Babaria said on Tuesday that the CEC meeting discussed 41 seats, but neither Phogat nor Punia's names were mentioned. "Phogat's or Punia's names are not among them...There will be clarity over this by the day after tomorrow," Babaria added.
Political stance
Phogat's political silence
Earlier, Phogat joined protesting farmers at the Shambhi and Khanauri borders between Punjab and Haryana. When questioned about running in the upcoming Haryana assembly elections then, Phogat responded, "I will not speak on this, I will not talk about politics. I have come to my family. If you talk about this, you would waste their struggle and fight. The focus is not on me today."
Seat-sharing talks
Congress and AAP negotiate seat-sharing for Haryana polls
The Congress and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), both members of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance, are currently engaged in tough seat-sharing negotiations for the Haryana Assembly elections. Notably, the Congress's CEC has already approved candidates for 66 out of 90 seats as of Tuesday. Additionally, a three-member committee has been formed by the Congress to handle seat-sharing discussions with AAP and the Samajwadi Party.
Announcement
Haryana poll dates postponed
Separately, the Election Commission of India announced on Saturday that the Haryana assembly poll date has been postponed from October 1 to October 5. This decision was made in consideration of a centuries-old festival observed by the Bishnoi community. Additionally, the counting of votes for the Jammu and Kashmir and Haryana assembly elections will now take place on October 8 instead of October 4.
Date change
Why were Haryana polls rescheduled
Earlier, the Haryana elections were scheduled to occur alongside the final phase of the Jammu and Kashmir elections. However, the poll date was revised to respect the Bishnoi community's traditions, which have been practiced for 300-400 years in honor of their Guru Jambheshwar. The ECI stated that it received a request from the national president of the All India Bishnoi Mahasabha in Bikaner, Rajasthan, to reschedule the Haryana assembly elections, which led to the postponement.