 "Rahul Gandhi, Rahul, Vinesh Phogat, Vinesh, Bajrang Punia, Bajrang")
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 4, 2024 New Delhi: Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi with wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia in New Delhi. (Photo: PTI)
Ahead of joining the Congress party, Wrestler Vinesh Phogat submitted her resignation from her position with Indian Railways on Friday.
भारतीय रेलवे की सेवा मेरे जीवन का एक यादगार और गौरवपूर्ण समय रहा है।
जीवन के इस मोड़ पर मैंने स्वयं को रेलवे सेवा से पृथक करने का निर्णय लेते हुए अपना त्यागपत्र भारतीय रेलवे के सक्षम अधिकारियों को सौप दिया है। राष्ट्र की सेवा में रेलवे द्वारा मुझे दिये गये इस अवसर के लिए मैं… pic.twitter.com/HasXLH5vBP
— Vinesh Phogat (@Phogat_Vinesh) September 6, 2024
She further said, “I will always be grateful to the Indian Railway family for this opportunity given to me by the Railways in the service of the nation.”
National wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia are set to join the Congress party on Friday, as earlier reported by Business Standard. This move comes shortly after their meeting with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, fuelling speculation about their possible bid to contest the upcoming Haryana Assembly elections set for October 5.
Vinesh Phogat is expected to run from Julana, while Punia is expected to contest in the Badli constituency as Congress candidates.
Why are Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia important for the Congress?
Both wrestlers have recently been in the public eye. Vinesh Phogat, who was unexpectedly disqualified from the Paris Olympics in the 50 kg category, gained widespread national support following the incident. This happened a year after both Vinesh Phogat and Punia were at the centre of a political controversy for participating in protests against former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who was accused of sexual harassment by several wrestlers during his time as the national wrestling federation’s chief.
With their entry into politics and possible candidacy, Congress aims to strengthen its influence in Haryana. Vinesh Phogat and Punia have openly supported the farmers’ movement in the Punjab-Haryana region, a persistent challenge for the BJP.
First Published: Sep 06 2024 | 2:24 PM IST
