Ahead of the Haryana Assembly elections, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi met with renowned wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia in New Delhi on September 4, 2024.
Vinesh Phogat, who recently faced a disqualification at the Paris Olympics for breaching the weight limit, and Bajrang Punia, have been vocal supporters of various social causes, including farmers’ protests and allegations against the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief.
The meeting fueled widespread speculation about the political ambitions of the athletes, comes at a time when the political landscape in Haryana is heating up with the elections scheduled for October 5.
The Congress party, under Rahul Gandhi’s guidance, has been exploring alliances and candidate selections for the upcoming polls. The meeting could signal the party’s strategy to leverage the popularity and grassroots support that Phogat and Punia command, especially in the backdrop of their high-profile protests.
While neither the Congress nor the wrestlers have officially confirmed their political plans, the meeting’s timing and the subsequent buzz on social media platforms suggest that an announcement might be forthcoming. This could reshape the political narrative in Haryana, where issues like farmer protests, employment, and sports governance could be key factors.