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The Indian political landscape witnessed a significant development as renowned wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia joined the Congress party on Wednesday. This move signals their intent to contest the upcoming Haryana Assembly elections, scheduled for next month. The 30-year-old Vinesh Phogat is expected to challenge for the Julana seat, currently held by Jannayak Janta Party's Amarjeet Dhanda. Meanwhile, Bajrang Punia, also 30, will aim to defend the Congress' Badli seat.
The decision of these prominent athletes to join the Congress comes at a pivotal time. The Congress is currently involved in crucial seat-sharing negotiations with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in preparation for the Haryana elections. The addition of Phogat and Punia is seen as a strategic move to bolster the Congress' position in these discussions, particularly given the reservations expressed by some within the party regarding an alliance with the AAP.
The Congress and the AAP are both members of the INDIA bloc, a coalition of opposition parties formed ahead of the Lok Sabha elections held earlier this year. However, the alliance has not played a significant role in state elections since its inception. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi appears determined to change this dynamic, recognizing the potential for the opposition to defeat the BJP, both at the national and state levels, by presenting a united front.
Sources close to the matter have revealed that Rahul Gandhi has urged Congress senior leaders to forge an alliance with the AAP in Haryana to prevent a split in the opposition vote. Initial discussions indicated that the AAP is seeking to contest 10 out of the state's 90 seats. However, the Congress has shown reluctance to concede more than seven seats, excluding one that is expected to be allocated to the Samajwadi Party of former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, another member of the INDIA bloc.
Further negotiations are expected to take place, with AAP leader Raghav Chadha and Congress general secretary KC Venugopal, both Rajya Sabha MPs, leading the talks. The Congress believes that the inclusion of Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia will enhance its appeal among voters in Haryana, a state ruled by the BJP since 2014. Phogat's strong connection with farmers in the region, who have been actively protesting against the BJP on issues like the legal guarantee for minimum support price (MSP), is also likely to be a contributing factor in the Congress' decision.
Last week, Phogat visited farmers protesting at a site near the Haryana-Delhi border. Expressing solidarity with the farmers, she described herself as “your daughter” and pledged her support for their cause. This public display of empathy and her vocal support for the farmers' demands are expected to resonate with voters in the upcoming elections. However, while Phogat was initially cautious about her political aspirations, her decision to join the Congress confirms her entry into the political arena.
Phogat and Punia's recent involvement in the protests against former wrestling federation chief Brij Bhushan Singh, who faces accusations of sexual assault and intimidation, has also brought them into the public eye. Singh, a three-time BJP MP, was denied a ticket to contest the Lok Sabha elections from Uttar Pradesh's Kaiserganj seat due to the controversy surrounding his alleged actions. Instead, the BJP fielded his son, Karan Bhushan Singh, who ultimately won the seat. The wrestlers' active participation in the protests against Singh has likely contributed to their growing popularity and their decision to enter politics.
Source: Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia To Contest Haryana Polls As Congress Candidates