Last Updated:
The Congress put out a photograph of Rahul Gandhi with Phogat and Punia on its official X handle.
Wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia meet Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, fueling speculation about their potential candidacy in Haryana Assembly elections
Wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia resigned from their respective positions in Northern Railways on Friday and are now set to join the Congress party later in the afternoon, ahead of the Haryana Assembly elections next month.
This follows their meeting with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday, which has fueled speculation about their potential candidacy. Regarding their potential move to Congress, Bajrang Punia today told CNN-News18, “Yes, Vinesh and I could join Congress today.”
All Eyes on Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat
Haryana Congress Spokesperson Kewal Dhingra also confirmed the development, saying, “Today, Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat will be joining Congress at the residence of Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge. The central and state leadership of BJP stood with Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.”
“The international players were humiliated at Jantar Mantar in Delhi. They were victims of torture and abuse. The central leadership of the party will decide whether they will contest the elections, considering factors like winnability,” he added.
Earlier, sources within the Congress party indicated that Vinesh has been offered a ticket to contest in the elections, while Punia may be given a position in the government if the party secures victory. Both wrestlers were prominent figures in the protests against former BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who faced sexual harassment allegations in 2023.
Haryana Polls
As the Congress Central Election Committee prepares for the elections, it has already cleared 66 candidates for the 90-member Haryana Assembly. The final list of candidates is expected to be released soon, with voting scheduled for October 5 and counting on October 8.
Amid alliance talks for the upcoming Haryana Assembly polls, sitting Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA and former Delhi minister Rajendra Pal Gautam joined the Congress today, in the presence of the senior party leaders. “It has been 43 years since I have been fighting the fight of Phule, Ambedkar, Periyar and Kanshi Ram. If AAP is not ready to work for it and Congress is working for it, why should I not join them? So, I decided to join them,” Rajendra Pal told ANI.
