In her new book 'Witness', Olympic bronze medalist Sakshi Malik reveals that Babita Phogat's true intention in the protest against former WFI president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh was to replace him and become the head of the wrestling body. Sakshi also claims that Babita, a BJP politician now, was selfish and had greed driven motives despite portraying herself as a supporter of the protest. The accusation adds a new twist to the ongoing sexual harassment case against Singh, where the three prominent faces of the protest - Sakshi, Babita, and Vinesh Phogat - were initially united. However, greed started to creep into their minds, leading to a rift and ultimately affecting their performance at the 2023 Asian Games trials.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, along with other key figures, chaired a meeting of the Central Election Committee to finalize candidates for the upcoming Haryana Assembly elections. The list includes notable inclusions such as former CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda and Olympian wrestler Vinesh Phogat. The party has also gained the support of two prominent wrestlers, Vinesh and Bajrang Punia, who have joined the Congress after their protest against BJP leader Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.
In a major boost for the Congress party ahead of the Haryana Assembly elections, Olympic wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia have joined the party. At a press event, both wrestlers spoke out against the BJP, accusing them of not standing with them during their protests against sexual harassment allegations against former WFI chief Brij Bhusan Singh. They also called out the BJP's IT cell for allegedly celebrating Phogat's disqualification at the Paris Olympics, and stressed that the Congress and other parties were the ones who stood with them.
In a bold statement, former BJP MP and ex-WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh downplayed the entry of wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia into politics, claiming that any BJP candidate in Haryana will easily defeat them. Singh, who refused to contest in the Lok Sabha election, offered to campaign for the BJP in the upcoming Haryana assembly polls. He also alleged that the Congress has conspired to use wrestlers as pawns to destroy the sport, while he, during his tenure as WFI chief, helped popularize wrestling in India on an international level.
Vinesh Phogat, Olympic wrestler, and Bajrang Punia, Indian wrestler, joined the Congress party in New Delhi on September 6, 2024. In response, the party announced Phogat as their candidate for the Julana constituency in the upcoming Haryana Assembly elections. Meanwhile, Punia was appointed as the working chairman of the All India Kisan Congress and is unlikely to run in the Haryana polls. The party also released its first list of candidates for the elections, including former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda and State unit chief Udai Bhan.
Despite several political offers, Sakshi Malik has decided not to join the Congress party as she wants to continue her fight for women in wrestling. She believes that joining a political party would send the wrong message and distract from her cause. While her fellow Olympians Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat have chosen to join Congress, Sakshi Malik remains apolitical and focused on her fight against exploitation in the wrestling industry, specifically against one person - Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.
After a tragic disqualification from the Paris Olympics due to being slightly over the weight limit, top Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat announced her retirement from the sport. The wrestling community is stunned by her unexpected decision. Fellow athlete Bajrang Punia's tweet shows the support and admiration she has from her colleagues, raising questions about who or what truly defeated Vinesh Phogat.
Responding to the news of Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia joining the Indian National Congress ahead of the Haryana Assembly Polls, Olympic medalist Sakshi Malik stated that she will not be taking a political plunge like her comrades. Malik, who was at the forefront of the protest against former WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, stated that her fight was against him alone and she remains apolitical in order to stay true to the cause of women in wrestling. She also emphasized on the importance of continuing their agitation until the exploitation of women in the sport ends.
In a major development for the Congress party, star wrestlers and renowned Olympians Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia joined the party during a press event at the AICC headquarters in Delhi. The heavyweight announcement was made in the presence of key Congress figures, who expressed their pride and enthusiasm in welcoming the athletes into their ranks. This move comes after the grapplers met with Congress senior leader Rahul Gandhi, sparking speculation of their entry into politics and potential contesting in the upcoming Haryana Assembly polls.
In a major political development, renowned Indian wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia have joined the Congress party in New Delhi, leading to speculation about their entry into the election fray for the upcoming Haryana Assembly elections. It is expected that Phogat will contest from Julana and Punia from Badli, against the BJP's candidates. This move comes after the wrestlers met with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and party president Mallikarjun Kharge, who expressed their admiration for the talented athletes and their contributions to India's sporting pride. Phogat also shared her resignation from Indian Railways, thanking the organization for the opportunity to serve the nation. This latest development may prove to be a game changer in the political landscape of Haryana.