Delhi: In a dramatic turn of events, the Congress party has made a bold move in the run-up to the Haryana Assembly elections, drawing attention and excitement by welcoming two of India’s most celebrated wrestlers, Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia, into its fold. The announcement, made on a Friday in New Delhi, saw the wrestlers join the Grand Old Party in a grand display of political maneuvering, with Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and General Secretary KC Venugopal presiding over the occasion.
The induction of Phogat and Punia is being seen as a strategic maneuver by Congress to galvanize the youth and capture the electorate’s imagination. Both wrestlers, having recently resigned from their positions in Indian Railways—Phogat having been employed under the sports quota—are now set to launch their political careers. Their departure from their esteemed sports positions underscores their commitment to their new path, one that they hope will transform their popularity in the wrestling arena into political capital.
Their entry into Congress is not just about political debut; it carries with it a rich backdrop of recent activism. Both Phogat and Punia were prominent figures in the protests against Brijbhushan Sharan Singh, the former Wrestling Federation of India Chief and BJP MP, whom they accused of molestation. Their activism, which captured national attention and led to legal proceedings now ongoing in court, positions them as champions of justice and rights, a narrative Congress is keen to leverage.
Phogat is expected to contest from Badli, while Punia is eyeing either Julana or Badli—seats known for their significant Jat population, which could play a crucial role in their electoral prospects. The wrestlers’ recent show of support for protesting farmers further aligns them with grassroots issues, potentially endearing them to voters who have seen them advocate for critical causes.
Yet, the path to electoral success is fraught with challenges. The story of wrestlers in Haryana politics is mixed, with past figures like Yogeshwar Dutt and Babita Phogat struggling to make a significant impact despite being fielded by the BJP in 2019. Their experiences serve as a cautionary tale that not all sports icons translate their public adulation into political victories.
With the BJP grappling with anti-incumbency sentiments and Congress gaining momentum, the political landscape in Haryana is ripe for change. The question remains: can Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia defy the odds and turn their sports fame into electoral success? Only time will tell if their wrestling prowess will translate into political clout in Haryana’s turbulent political arena.
