Chandigarh: A day after joining the Congress Party ahead of the Haryana Assembly Elections, wrestler Vinesh Phogat met former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda and expressed that her new political journey is more than just politics; it is a quest for service and justice on a new platform.
In her meeting with Hooda, Vinesh shared her gratitude, recalling how Hooda had supported her during the protest against former MP and WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh over sexual harassment allegations. She praised Hooda for his courage and his strong stance against the injustice faced by the women athletes.
“Yesterday, I was happy to meet former Chief Minister of Haryana Shri @BhupinderShooda ji and Lok Sabha MP and my elder brother Shri @DeependerSHooda ji at his residence in Delhi. Hooda sahab's sports policy made Haryana a leader in sports. During his tenure, players received jobs like DSP and cash awards, which inspired the youth to pursue sports and achieve international medals,” Vinesh posted on X.
She added, “Even today, I cannot forget the day when we were dragged through the streets of Delhi. In that difficult time, our elder brother Deepender Hooda ji stood with us, gave us courage, and raised his voice strongly against the injustice being done to the daughters of the country. This new journey is not just politics for me, but a fight for service and justice on a new platform.”
In response, BJP leader Brij Bhushan Singh criticized the Congress leaders and wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia, referring to them as "khalnayak" (villains). Singh accused Punia of exploiting his wife for political gains and Phogat of breaking rules during wrestling trials, which he claimed undermined junior wrestlers’ rights.
Phogat, who became the first woman wrestler to reach the Olympics final in Paris, and Punia, who won bronze at the Tokyo Olympics, joined Congress on September 6. Shortly after their joining, Phogat was nominated for the Julana constituency in the upcoming Haryana polls, while Punia was appointed working president of the All India Kisan Congress.
The Haryana Assembly elections are scheduled for October 5, with the last date for filing nominations on September 12 and vote counting on October 8. In the 2019 elections, the BJP formed a coalition government with the JJP, but the alliance was dissolved earlier this year.
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