Last Updated:
The Congress put out a photograph of Rahul Gandhi with Phogat and Punia on its official X handle.
The Congress on Wednesday put out a photograph of Rahul Gandhi with Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia on its official X handle
Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia met Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday amid speculation that the wrestlers could join the grand old party and will be fielded in the upcoming Haryana Assembly elections.
The speculations rose after Congress put out a photograph of Gandhi with Phogat and Punia on its official X handle.
Sources in Congress said the party has offered ticket to Vinesh and told Punia that he would be accommodated in the government if it comes to power.
Punia and Phogat were part of the protest over sexual harassment allegations against former BJP MP and then Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh in 2023.
Meanwhile, the Congress’ central election committee cleared the names of 66 candidates for the 90-member state Assembly till Tuesday. The Congress’ candidates list is set to be out in a day or two for the remaining candidates.
Voting for the 90-member Assembly in Haryana will be held on October 5 and counting of votes will be undertaken on October 8.
Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat Joining Congress?
Responding to the speculations of Phogat and Punia joining Congress and fighting the upcoming Haryana polls, All India Congress Committee (AICC) in charge of Haryana Deepak Babaria on Tuesday stated that no discussion on either Vinesh or Bajrang’s candidature was done in the meeting.
“Vinesh Phogat’s or Bajrang Punia’s names are not among them. I think, there will be clarity over this by the day after tomorrow,” said Babaria when asked if the names of Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia are among the 32 candidates that have been finalised earlier.