Olympians Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia Join Congress Ahead of Haryana Elections

Desk Report, September 07, 2024: Former wrestler Vinesh Phogat has officially entered the political arena, joining the Congress party and being selected as the party’s candidate for the Julana seat in the upcoming Haryana Assembly elections. This move, long speculated upon, was confirmed when the party released its first list of 31 candidates for the polls. Vinesh Phogat, a highly decorated wrestler and the first Indian woman to reach an Olympic final in wrestling, is expected to bring considerable support to the Congress in the region.

On the same day, fellow Olympic medalist Bajrang Punia was appointed as the working president of the Kisan Congress. Both Phogat and Punia joined Congress in the presence of senior party leaders, including Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal, Haryana Congress Chief Udai Bhan, and AICC in-charge for Haryana, Deepak Babaria.

Speaking about Phogat’s candidacy, Babaria had hinted earlier that the wrestler would be fielded from the Julana constituency. This decision comes as the Congress looks to energize its campaign ahead of the elections, especially by tapping into the popularity of the sports community in Haryana.

Phogat and Punia, both of whom resigned from their positions in Northern Railways earlier in the day, have made headlines for their bold move into politics. Their entry into Congress comes just a month before polling begins for the 90-member Haryana Assembly, scheduled for October 5. The vote count will take place on October 8.

Bajrang Punia, a bronze medalist at the Tokyo Olympics, is expected to play a pivotal role in leading the party’s outreach efforts, especially among the farming community in the state. His new appointment as working president of the Kisan Congress highlights the party’s strategy to strengthen its base in rural Haryana.

Vinesh Phogat’s recent announcement of her retirement from wrestling followed her disqualification from the Paris Olympic Games due to a weight discrepancy of 100 grams in the 50-kg category, preventing her from competing in the gold medal match. Her decision to transition into politics has garnered widespread attention and is seen as a significant boost for Congress’s campaign in Haryana.

As the election date approaches, the Congress is banking on the star power of these two prominent figures to capture voters’ attention and strengthen its prospects in the state.

Also read: Weeks-Long Search Ends with Arrest of Two Dhing Rape Case Accused in Assam