Olympic wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia have made a significant political move by joining the Indian National Congress on Friday. This decision comes in the lead-up to the crucial Haryana Assembly elections, indicating a strategic attempt by the Congress party to gain support from prominent figures in the state.
Phogat and Punia met with Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge at his residence in New Delhi to formally join the party. Earlier in the day, Vinesh had resigned from her position as an Officer on Special Duty (OSD) with Northern Railways, citing personal reasons. “Serving Indian Railways has been a memorable and proud time of my life,” she stated on X (formerly Twitter) along with a picture of her resignation letter.
This development comes shortly after Vinesh announced her retirement from wrestling following her disqualification from the Paris Olympics final. She was found to be overweight by 10 grams on the second day of the weigh-in, leading to her elimination from the competition. Although she appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) for a joint silver medal, the appeal was rejected last month.
Vinesh and Bajrang, both celebrated wrestlers with significant national and international recognition, are expected to contribute to the Congress party’s campaign in Haryana. Their entry into politics marks a new chapter in their careers, and their influence within the wrestling community could potentially sway voters in the upcoming elections.
