Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia Set to Officially Join Congress on Saturday
Chandigarh, 6th September 2024: Olympic wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia are set to join the Indian National Congress on Saturday, just ahead of the Haryana assembly elections. Their decision follows a recent meeting with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in New Delhi on September 4, which had fueled speculation about their political entry.
Their inclusion is anticipated to strengthen Congress’s position, particularly as some Haryana Congress leaders have expressed concerns about collaborating with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).
Sources indicate that the wrestlers will formally join the Congress at Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge’s residence in Delhi.
AICC Haryana in-charge Deepak Babaria confirmed on Wednesday that the Congress is in discussions with the AAP about a potential alliance for the upcoming elections. Additionally, the Samajwadi Party and CPI(M) from the INDIA bloc have also reached out to Congress for collaboration.
Babaria noted that the CPI(M) and Samajwadi Party aim to make an impact in Haryana, and talks with the AAP are ongoing. Reports also suggest that Rahul Gandhi consulted Haryana Congress members about the possible AAP alliance during the party’s CEC meeting.
On August 31, Vinesh Phogat attended a farmers’ protest at the Shambhu border, which was demanding a legal guarantee for the Minimum Support Price (MSP). During the event, Phogat expressed her support for the farmers, stating, “It is painful to see this. All of them are citizens of this country. Farmers run the country. Nothing is possible without them, not even athletes. If they don’t feed us, we won’t be able to compete. I urge the Government that they should listen.”
Phogat has had a challenging month following her recent wrestling competition. After reaching the final in the women’s 50kg event but losing to Sarah Ann Hildebrandt from the United States, Phogat was disqualified for exceeding the weight limit. Following this setback, she announced her retirement from wrestling and requested the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to award her a joint silver medal.
