html

Wrestlers Join Congress in India Ahead of Haryana Elections

Two prominent Indian wrestlers, Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia, have joined the Congress party in India, making a significant move in the political landscape of Haryana just weeks before the state Assembly elections. Both Olympians, known for their outspoken criticism of the Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Singh, are expected to contest the elections.

• Vinesh Phogat is likely to contest from the Julana constituency, currently held by the Jannayak Janta Party.
• Bajrang Punia is expected to be fielded from the Badli seat.

Olympians' Entry Could Boost Congress's Chances

The Congress party hopes that the wrestlers' popularity, particularly among farmers, will help them gain an edge over the BJP in Haryana. The Congress sees this move as a way to capitalize on the farmers' resentment towards the BJP, which has been in power in the state since 2014.

• Farmers in Haryana represent a significant voting bloc.
• The Congress is hoping to benefit from the farmers' anger towards the BJP.

Wrestlers' Support for Farmers

Both Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia have been vocal supporters of farmers' protests in India. They have expressed solidarity with the farmers' demands for a legal guarantee for minimum support price (MSP) for crops. Phogat recently met with protesting farmers at the Haryana-Punjab border, showing her support for their cause.

Wrestlers' Decision to Join Congress

The wrestlers' decision to join the Congress party comes after they faced challenges and alleged mistreatment from the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI). They were at the forefront of protests against former WFI chief Brij Bhushan Singh, who was accused of sexual harassment.

• Phogat and Punia met with Rahul Gandhi, the leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha, earlier this week.
• They formally joined the Congress party on Friday after meeting with party president Mallikarjun Kharge.

Congress's Hope for Alliance with AAP in Haryana

The Congress is hoping that the wrestlers' entry into the party will strengthen their alliance with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Haryana. Both parties are part of the INDIA alliance, a coalition of opposition parties aiming to defeat the BJP in the upcoming general elections.

• AAP and Congress are in talks to finalize seat-sharing for the Haryana elections.
• The alliance is intended to ensure there is no division of votes, giving the opposition parties the best chance to defeat the BJP.

Vinesh Phogat Resigns from Railways

Prior to joining the Congress, Vinesh Phogat resigned from her position as an officer on special duty (OSD) with the Northern Railways, citing personal reasons.

Wrestlers' Popularity and Potential Impact

The wrestlers' popularity has grown significantly in India, especially after Phogat's near-miss for a silver medal at the Olympics, where she was disqualified for exceeding the weight limit by 100 grams. Their high public profile could be a major asset to the Congress in Haryana, potentially swaying voters in their favor.

Haryana Assembly Elections: A Key State

The upcoming Haryana Assembly elections are crucial for both the BJP and the opposition parties. The state holds 10 Lok Sabha seats, and the BJP's performance in Haryana is considered significant in the national political landscape. The Congress is hoping to win back voters and weaken the BJP's hold on the state.