Delhi: Wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia might contest in the upcoming Haryana Assembly elections. There is speculation that both will run as Congress candidates. To discuss this, they met with Opposition Leader Rahul Gandhi. A photo of Rahul Gandhi with the wrestlers was shared on Congress’s official X account following their meeting on Wednesday. Party sources also indicated that Vinesh and Bajrang Punia might have discussions with Congress leader K.C. Venugopal soon. An announcement about their candidacy is expected soon, the sources added.
Vinesh Phogat, who recently returned to India after the Paris Olympics, was given a warm welcome by Congress workers. Congress MP Deepender Hooda received the athlete at the Delhi airport. Deepender Hooda is a political leader who supported Vinesh and other wrestlers during protests against sexual harassment allegations against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.
Meanwhile, after the meeting with Vinesh Phogat, former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda stated that Congress welcomes anyone interested in joining the party. Following a Congress Central Election Committee (CEC) meeting in Delhi on Monday, Deepak Babaria, in charge of AICC for Haryana, mentioned that it would be clarified whether Vinesh will be contesting. The Haryana Assembly elections are scheduled for October 5.
