Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia to Join Congress Today: Vinesh to Contest, Bajrang Star Campaigner

Haryana wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia will join the Congress today. Both have already arrived in Delhi for this. Bajrang Punia confirmed this while speaking to the media. They are expected to join the party around 1:30 PM and will also meet Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge.

Vinesh Phogat to Contest in Assembly Elections

Vinesh Phogat is set to contest in the Assembly elections. It is believed that her ticket from Julana in Jind is confirmed. However, since her cousin Babita Phogat did not receive a ticket from the BJP, the Dadri seat has also emerged as an option for her. According to Congress sources, Vinesh will file her nomination on September 11.

Bajrang Punia Likely to Be a Star Campaigner

Bajrang Punia may be assigned the responsibility of being a star campaigner for the elections. He had been asking for the Badli seat in Jhajjar. However, Congress refused to cancel the current ticket of MLA Kuldeep Vats. Bajrang might also be given a significant position in the party’s organization and will campaign across Haryana.

Brij Bhushan Singh’s Viral Statement

Now, a statement by former WFI president Brij Bhushan Singh is going viral. He had said earlier that the accusations against him were a conspiracy by the Congress. He added that what the country is saying today is what he had said earlier. He now feels there is no need to comment further.

Former BJP Minister Anil Vij’s Comment

Former BJP minister Anil Vij remarked that Vinesh Phogat wants to go from being the “daughter of the nation” to the “daughter of the Congress.”

Meeting with Rahul Gandhi Two Days Ago

Both wrestlers met Rahul Gandhi two days ago. On September 4, Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia met Rahul Gandhi in Delhi. After meeting Rahul, they also met Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal. Congress has not provided any details about the discussions in the meeting, and both wrestlers have remained silent about their political plans.

Bhupinder Hooda Advocated for Their Tickets

According to Congress sources, Bhupinder Hooda advocated for tickets for Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia during the Central Election Committee meeting. Hooda argued that supporting the wrestlers would garner public support for Congress in Haryana.

The Central Election Committee agreed after discussions, but left the final decision on contesting and seat selection to Vinesh and Bajrang.

Congress Offered Three Seats to Vinesh Phogat

According to Congress sources, Vinesh Phogat was offered three seats. The first two options were Dadri and Badhra in Charkhi Dadri, while the third option was Julana in Jind.

Bajrang Punia Asked for Badli Seat in Jhajjar

Bajrang Punia had asked for the Badli seat in Jhajjar, but Congress has a strong candidate there, Kuldeep Vats. Bajrang was also offered options in Bhiwani, Bahadurgarh, and the Rai seat in Sonipat.

The Central Election Committee is expected to finalize the tickets for both wrestlers in a meeting this evening.

Dipendra Hooda Welcomed Vinesh at the Airport

After Vinesh missed a medal despite winning three fights in a day at the Paris Olympics, she returned to India on August 17. She was given a grand welcome at Delhi airport, and MP Dipendra Singh Hooda welcomed her and escorted her to Gurugram.

Since then, Khap Panchayats in various districts of the state have been honoring Vinesh. She has been honored in several places in Jhajjar, Rohtak, Jind, and Dadri districts. Vinesh has also joined the farmers’ movement against the central government.

Vinesh and Bajrang Led Protests Against Brij Bhushan

In 2023, female wrestlers accused the then-president of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, of sexual harassment. Wrestlers, led by Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat, and Sakshi Malik, staged protests at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, demanding his arrest. The strike lasted for nearly 140 days.

Vinesh Phogat had written an open letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stating she would return her medal. Before this, wrestler Sakshi Malik had announced her retirement from the sport. Wrestler Bajrang Punia also left his Padma Shri award outside the Prime Minister’s residence.