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Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge met with Phogat and Punia in Delhi. (Image/X)
Wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia resigned from their respective positions in Northern Railways earlier in the day
Wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia on Friday joined the Congress party ahead of the Haryana Assembly elections next month. The wrestlers resigned from their respective positions in Northern Railways earlier in the day. Congress leader Pawan Khera said Phogat and Punia have “won the hearts of people”.
‘I Will Stand With Women of Haryana’: Vinesh Phogat
“I will stand with the women of Haryana,” Vinesh said, while Bajrang stated that Congress “stood by us in bad times”. “We will put the same effort in politics for Congress as we put in wrestling,” he added.
‘Big Day For Us’: KC Venugopal
While addressing a press conference after Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia joined Congress, party leader KC Venugopal said, “Today is a big day for us. A proud moment, that both these players are joining us. Vinesh hails from a family of wrestlers. When she was 9-years-old her father was shot dead in front of her. Can you imagine a girl child going through something like that?”
‘They Raise Voice For Farmers And Agniveers’: KC Venugopal
“Not only they (Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat) voiced their agitation regarding the injustice in their field but they also raised voice for farmers and Agniveer this shows their commitment to the society,” Venugopal added.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge met with Phogat and Punia in Delhi earlier in the day. Taking to microblogging site X, he wrote, “Chak de India, Chak de Haryana! Meeting our talented champions Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia who have made India proud in the world. We are proud of both of you.”
On Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia joining Congress, party spokesperson Alok Sharma said, “They (Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia) both are joining the Congress party…The party will get a huge boost from them joining the party…Sportspersons should come forward as Haryana is a state of youth…”
‘People Will Ask Questions’: BJP
Speaking about Vinesh Phogat joining the Congress, BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said, “Anyone can join any party, but people and intellectuals will ask questions. I will not answer this question but yes people will ask questions.”
