Wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia join Congress Ahead of the Haryana Assembly Elections

Wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia joined the Congress on Friday, just weeks before the Haryana Assembly Elections. The two Olympians, who led last year’s protests against alleged misconduct by former Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, met with senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday and then with Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge before officially joining the party.

Phogat, 30, and Punia, also 30, were formally inducted into the Congress at its headquarters in New Delhi. Kharge expressed his pride in welcoming them. "Chak de India, Chak de Haryana! Met our talented champions Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia, who have made India proud in the world, at 10, Rajaji Marg. We are proud of both of you,” posted Kharge on “X”.

"I want to thank the people of the country for supporting me during my wrestling career and I hope I live up to their expectations. I want to thank the Congress because, as they say, it is only when times are bad that one finds out who is standing with them. When we were dragged on the roads, every party other than the BJP stood with us and understood our pain and our tears,’ SAID Phogat after she joined the grand old party. She also expressed pride in joining a party that combats injustice, adding, "I am very proud to be associated with a party that stands up against misbehaviour and injustice against women... If I wanted, I could have left wrestling at Jantar Mantar (during the protests) but I reached the finals of the Olympics... but God had other plans. He has now given me a chance to serve the people of my country."

Punia, who also spoke at the event, criticized the BJP for their lack of support during the protests. "We are paying the price for raising our voice in support of the daughters of the country... We will keep working for the people of the country and strengthen the Congress party as well as India. Everyone was happy when Vinesh Phogat reached the finals but some people also celebrated when she was disqualified,” said he.

Ahead of her Congress induction, Phogat resigned from her position as an officer on special duty with the Northern Railways, citing personal reasons. She posted her resignation letter on X, noting her gratitude for the opportunity to serve in the railways. Phogat, who recently announced her retirement from wrestling following a controversial disqualification, had extended her support to farmers protesting for legal guarantees on minimum support prices (MSP) for crops. She expressed solidarity with the farmers and urged the government to address their demands.

The entrance of Phogat and Punia into the Congress is expected to bolster the party’s position in Haryana, particularly among farmers who are a crucial voting bloc.

Additionally, Congress is seeking to leverage this boost in negotiations with its ally, AAP, over seat-sharing arrangements. Despite an in-principle agreement for an alliance, disagreements remain, with AAP requesting 10 seats and the Congress offering five to seven. The Congress’s recent successes in the Lok Sabha elections, winning five out of 10 seats in Haryana, have heightened internal debates about seat distribution and alliance strategies. Meanwhile, the BJP is facing internal strife, with Energy Minister Ranjit Chautala and MLA Lakshman Napa leaving the party after being denied tickets.​