Ahead of the upcoming Haryana Assembly elections, Olympian wrestlers Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat have officially joined the Indian National Congress (INC), marking a significant boost for the party. The induction took place in the presence of prominent party leaders, including Congress general secretary KC Venugopal, Pawan Khera, Haryana Congress chief Udai Bhan, and AICC in-charge of Haryana, Deepak Babaria.
After joining the party, Vinesh emphasized the ongoing fight for justice regarding the issues wrestlers have faced. She stated, “The fight is continuing, it hasn’t ended yet. It’s in Court. We will win that fight as well… With the new platform that we are getting today, we will work for the service of the nation.”
She expressed pride in joining a party that supports women and is willing to fight for their rights. Both wrestlers were actively involved in protests against former BJP MP and Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh over allegations of sexual harassment.
KC Venugopal described the day as a proud moment for the Congress party, highlighting the significance of welcoming two prominent sports figures into their ranks. The Haryana Assembly elections are set for October 5, with results to be counted on October 8. The wrestlers also announced their resignation from their positions in Northern Railways earlier in the day.
Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia’s entry into politics reflects a growing trend of athletes using their influence to advocate for change and represent important social issues in India.
