Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia join Congress party ahead of Haryana elections 2024

Published at :September 6, 2024 at 5:11 PM

Modified at :September 6, 2024 at 5:11 PM

Phogat also resigned from her position in Indian Railways.

Wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia have joined the Indian National Congress party. The announcement came on Friday, just weeks before the upcoming state elections in Haryana.

The wrestlers’ entry into politics follows their prominent roles in last year’s protests against the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI). They were at the forefront of accusations of sexual harassment against the former WFI chief, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who is also a member of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

#WATCH | Delhi | Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat join the Congress party in the presence of party general secretary KC Venugopal, party leader Pawan Khera, Haryana Congress chief Udai Bhan and AICC in-charge of Haryana, Deepak Babaria. pic.twitter.com/LLpAG09Bw5
— ANI (@ANI) September 6, 2024

Speaking at the Congress headquarters, Phogat expressed gratitude for the support she received during her wrestling career and also said the fight will continue against Sharan Singh, “The fight is still ongoing and it’s in court. We will win this battle too.

“With the new platform we have today, we are committed to serving the nation. Just as we played our game with dedication, we will give our best for the people. To my sisters, I want to say that I stand with you. If no one else is there for you, I will be and so will the Congress party. I have felt this personally and I assure you, we will be there for you without a doubt,” she said

#WATCH | After joining the Congress party, Vinesh Phogat says, "The fight is continuing, it hasn't ended yet. It's in Court. We will win that fight as well… With the new platform that we are getting today, we will work for the service of the nation. The way we played our game… pic.twitter.com/WRKn5Aufv2
— ANI (@ANI) September 6, 2024

Just hours before joining the Congress, Phogat resigned from her position as an Officer on Special Duty with the Northern Railways. She shared her resignation letter on social media, calling her time with the Railways “memorable and proud.”

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भारतीय रेलवे की सेवा मेरे जीवन का एक यादगार और गौरवपूर्ण समय रहा है। जीवन के इस मोड़ पर मैंने स्वयं को रेलवे सेवा से पृथक करने का निर्णय लेते हुए अपना त्यागपत्र भारतीय रेलवे के सक्षम अधिकारियों को सौप दिया है। राष्ट्र की सेवा में रेलवे द्वारा मुझे दिये गये इस अवसर के लिए मैं… pic.twitter.com/HasXLH5vBP
— Vinesh Phogat (@Phogat_Vinesh) September 6, 2024

Punia, a bronze medalist from the Tokyo Olympics, joined Phogat in this political move. Both wrestlers had met with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi earlier in the week, hinting at their impending decision.

#WATCH | Delhi | On joining Congress, Bajrang Punia says, "…What BJP IT Cell is saying today that we just wanted to do politics…We had written to all women BJP MPs to stand with us but they still didn't come. We are paying to raise the voices of women but now we know that BJP… pic.twitter.com/FGViVeGJLY
— ANI (@ANI) September 6, 2024

The timing of their political debut is crucial, coming just ahead of the Haryana state elections. Haryana, known for producing many of India’s top wrestlers, could see a shift in voter sentiment with these popular athletes joining the opposition.

This move also comes after Phogat’s recent retirement from wrestling. She had been disqualified from the Paris Olympics final after weighing in 100 grams over the limit, a decision she unsuccessfully appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

The Congress party hopes that bringing these celebrated athletes into their fold will boost their chances in the upcoming elections. With their popularity and the sympathy they garnered during the wrestlers’ protests, Phogat and Punia could be game-changers in Haryana’s political landscape.

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