Brij Bhushan Responds to Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia Joining Congress, Alleges Long-Planned Strategy By HT News Desk | Edited by Lingamgunta Nirmitha Rao | Sep 07, 2024 10:52 AM IST In a swift reaction to wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia joining the Congress ahead of the upcoming Haryana assembly elections, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief and senior BJP leader, accused the Congress of orchestrating the move. Speaking to the media on Saturday, Singh alleged that “the move began two years ago,” indicating a coordinated plan involving the wrestlers' protest against him. Singh referred to the accusations of sexual harassment made by the athletes as part of a larger political agenda driven by Congress. He pointed a finger at senior party leaders, particularly former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, alleging that “Hooda wrote the script” behind the protest and subsequent events. The development comes just a day after the celebrated wrestlers, both of whom are Olympic medalists and have been at the forefront of the #MeToo movement in Indian sports, formally joined the Congress. Their entry into the party marks a significant shift in the political landscape ahead of the state elections, with both athletes having voiced their desire to effect change in the system. Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat have been vocal critics of Brij Bhushan, leading nationwide protests and calls for his resignation from WFI. Their decision to join the Congress is seen by many as a strategic move to influence the political narrative in Haryana, where wrestling is a popular sport and the wrestlers enjoy massive public support. While Brij Bhushan's comments indicate a political rivalry that has been brewing over time, the Congress is expected to leverage the athletes' public support in their election campaigns, with both Phogat and Punia likely to play prominent roles in voter outreach. As the Haryana assembly elections draw nearer, this development adds further intrigue to the state's political atmosphere.

Brij Bhushan Responds to Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia Joining Congress, Alleges Long-Planned Strategy

In a swift reaction to wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia joining the Congress ahead of the upcoming Haryana assembly elections, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief and senior BJP leader, accused the Congress of orchestrating the move. Speaking to the media on Saturday, Singh alleged that “the move began two years ago,” indicating a coordinated plan involving the wrestlers' protest against him. Singh referred to the accusations of sexual harassment made by the athletes as part of a larger political agenda driven by Congress. He pointed a finger at senior party leaders, particularly former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, alleging that “Hooda wrote the script” behind the protest and subsequent events. The development comes just a day after the celebrated wrestlers, both of whom are Olympic medalists and have been at the forefront of the #MeToo movement in Indian sports, formally joined the Congress. Their entry into the party marks a significant shift in the political landscape ahead of the state elections, with both athletes having voiced their desire to effect change in the system. Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat have been vocal critics of Brij Bhushan, leading nationwide protests and calls for his resignation from WFI. Their decision to join the Congress is seen by many as a strategic move to influence the political narrative in Haryana, where wrestling is a popular sport and the wrestlers enjoy massive public support. While Brij Bhushan's comments indicate a political rivalry that has been brewing over time, the Congress is expected to leverage the athletes' public support in their election campaigns, with both Phogat and Punia likely to play prominent roles in voter outreach. As the Haryana assembly elections draw nearer, this development adds further intrigue to the state's political atmosphere.