Olympians and prominent wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia have officially joined the Congress party, a significant political development just weeks before the Haryana Assembly elections. The duo, who led protests against former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh over sexual harassment allegations last year, met Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge before their induction at the party headquarters in New Delhi.
Addressing the gathering, Phogat reflected on the difficult times they faced during the protests, stating, “It is only when times are bad that you know who stands with you.” She thanked the Congress party for their support, adding, “When we were dragged on the roads, every party except the BJP stood with us and understood our pain.”
Phogat, 30, expressed pride in joining a party that stands against injustice towards women. She emphasized her commitment to work with the same dedication that defined her wrestling career, while vowing to continue her fight for women’s rights.
Earlier in the day, Phogat resigned from her position as an Officer on Special Duty (OSD) with Northern Railways, citing personal reasons. In her resignation letter, she thanked the Indian Railways for the opportunity and shared her plans to focus on serving the public.
Bajrang Punia, also 30, joined Phogat in meeting Congress leader Rahul Gandhi earlier in the week, fueling speculation about their political entry. Both athletes are expected to play significant roles in the upcoming elections, with Punia likely to be appointed co-chairman of the Haryana Congress campaign committee and Phogat possibly contesting the Assembly polls.
Phogat’s entry into politics follows her retirement from wrestling after her disqualification in the 50 kg freestyle event at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where she exceeded the weight limit by 100 grams. Despite her setback, her popularity remains strong, particularly among farmers, a key voting bloc in Haryana. Last week, Phogat extended her support to farmers demanding a legal guarantee for the Minimum Support Price (MSP) at a protest on the Haryana-Punjab border.
The Congress is banking on Phogat’s influence to garner support from farmers and capitalize on growing discontent with the BJP, which has ruled Haryana since 2014. The party is also negotiating seat-sharing with its INDIA alliance partner, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), ahead of the state’s 90-seat election. While AAP seeks 10 seats, Congress has offered five to seven, and discussions are ongoing.
This move by the Congress comes as it aims to consolidate its position in Haryana after securing five out of 10 Lok Sabha seats earlier this year. However, the BJP faces internal challenges, with key leaders such as Energy Minister Ranjit Chautala and MLA Lakshman Napa leaving the party, potentially bolstering the Congress’s chances.
