Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia set to join Indian National Congress

It marks a significant move ahead of the Haryana Assembly elections

This development follows their recent meeting with Rahul Gandhi

Star Olympians Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia are set to join the Indian National Congress at 1:30 pm today, marking a significant move ahead of the Haryana Assembly elections. This development follows their recent meeting with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on September 4, sparking widespread speculation about their entry into politics.

Also Read: Wrestler Vinesh Phogat joins farmers’ protest at Shambhu Border, pledges support

Phogat and Punia were prominent figures in the protests against former BJP MP and Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who was accused of harassing young wrestlers. Their protests garnered national attention earlier this year, and their political alignment is seen as an extension of their activism.

After the wrestlers’ meeting with Gandhi, several political figures, including BJP MP and Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, commented on their involvement in the protests. “I think our athletes got trapped in a political maze during the protests,” Khattar stated, suggesting that their actions were politically motivated from the start.

The Congress hopes that the wrestlers’ entry into politics will help boost its appeal, particularly among the Jat community, as it seeks to counter anti-incumbency sentiments in the state. With Haryana’s Assembly elections scheduled for October 5, 2024, Phogat and Punia’s decision is expected to play a crucial role in shaping the electoral landscape.