How ace wrestlers Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia found their political calling

Both Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat were the key faces of the wrestlers’ protest

Ace wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia joined the Congress on Friday ahead of the Assembly elections in Haryana. They were inducted into the party fold in the presence of Haryana Pradesh Congress Committee president Udai Bhan and Congress general secretary KC Venugopal

They met Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday and called on Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge earlier on Friday. Voting for the 90 Assembly seats in Haryana will be held on October 5 and counting of votes will be undertaken on October 8.

What Congress hopes to gain

Having been relegated to the Opposition for a decade now, the Congress saw a ray of hope in the Lok Sabha elections as they reduced the BJP’s tally in the state by half. Desperate for a comeback and sensing the mood of the people, the grand old party hopes that the duo’s entry will have a compounding effect on its chances of a victory in Haryana.

Both hail from the Jat community and the Congress is hopeful to consolidate the community’s votes in its favour. It also expects youth, women and farmers to rally behind the wrestlers who have already lent their weight behind the cause.

How Vinesh, Punia readied ground?

Both Punia and Phogat were the key faces of the wrestlers’ protest that evoked strong reactions from the opposition. The wrestlers were protesting against then Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Singh over sexual harassment charges. Punia even gave up his Padma Shri award in protest.

He kept his award on the footpath outside Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s residence after Brij Bhushan’s aide, Sanjay Singh, was named the WFI president.

Later, Punia was approached by the Congress to fight the assembly elections from Rajasthan last December but turned it down because he did not want politics to sidetrack the wrestlers’ protest, Hindustan Times reported.

Phogat also showed her unwavering support for the farmers' protest on August 31 as she joined them at the Shambhu border. "Your daughter is with you," she had said then. Farmers have been stationed at the Shambhu border since February 13, after authorities prevented their march to Delhi.

In her speech at the protest site, Phoghat said she was proud to be born in a farmers’ family.  "Farmers run the country. Nothing is possible without them, not even athletes - if they don't feed us, we won't be able to compete. Many times we are helpless and can't do anything, we represent the country at such big levels but we can't do anything for our family even when we see them sad. I urge the Government that they should listen,” she said.

Phogat also recently revealed that there was always a pressure to join politics. The wrestler had met khap panchayats in Jind on August 27 and said she was under pressure to join politics. "There is pressure to join politics. But I will decide after consulting my elders. When my mind is clear, I will think about what to do next as I am still in deep shock," she said.

 Why Congress inducted Vinesh Phogat

Ever since Phogat returned to India from the Paris Olympics, she has been spotted with Congress leaders. Congress’ Rohtak MP Deepender Hooda was the first political leader to reach the Delhi airport to welcome her with a “Hanuman Gada”, a symbol of victory.

Phogat’s triumph sparked reactions from the Congress which slammed the Centre for ignoring her demands during her protests in January 2023. The Gandhis had stood behind Phogat during the wrestlers’ protest.

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also sat on a dharna with them. This issue resonated during the Lok Sabha elections and is back as one of the key issues in the Haryana Assembly polls. The Congress may be expecting that the entry of Punia and Phogat in poll fray may garner more Jat votes in the state.

Phogat, who hails from a family with a political background, has also been seen at farmers' protest at Shambhu border a couple of times. Her connection with the khap panchayats and the farmers also underscores her potential to garner their support in the Haryana assembly polls.

Phogat’s poll debut is also expected to push Congress’ women vote share in the Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini-led state where the BJP is reportedly facing strong anti-incumbency.