New Delhi: As preparations for the Haryana Assembly Elections gather pace, prominent wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia recently met with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. Following their meeting with the opposition leader, speculation has intensified about the wrestlers potentially contesting the elections.
On Tuesday, the two wrestling champions visited Congress headquarters in Delhi and held discussions with the party leadership. This meeting has fueled rumors of their possible candidacy under the Congress banner, with strong hints suggesting that they might join the party soon. Congress shared photographs of the meeting on social media platform X, further igniting these speculations. Along with the images, Congress noted, "Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia meet Rahul Gandhi."
It is reported that the Congress party has extended an offer to both wrestlers to join its ranks. However, neither Vinesh nor Bajrang have made any public statements on the matter. Despite their silence, sources indicate that their entry into Congress is a likely scenario following their meeting with Rahul Gandhi.
The timing of this interaction is particularly significant as it comes at a time when candidates for the Haryana Assembly Elections are being finalized. The potential addition of these two high-profile figures could make the upcoming elections more competitive and intriguing. If Vinesh and Bajrang decide to run, their candidacy could be a game-changer for Congress in Haryana.
According to reports, Congress is considering fielding Vinesh Phogat from either the Badhra or Dadri constituencies. These seats fall under the Charakhi Dadri region, where Vinesh's sister, Babita Phogat, had contested the 2019 elections on a BJP ticket. However, Babita faced defeat in that election. If Vinesh contests from Dadri, it could set up a direct electoral face-off between the two sisters.
Adding to the political dynamics in Haryana, Congress is also reportedly in talks with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) for a possible alliance ahead of the state elections. This speculation gained traction after AAP leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh welcomed reports of a potential tie-up between Congress and Arvind Kejriwal’s party in Haryana.
On Monday, during a meeting of Congress' Central Election Committee (CEC), Rahul Gandhi expressed interest in exploring a collaboration with AAP for the Haryana Assembly elections. This discussion highlights the strategic moves being made by Congress as it seeks to strengthen its position in the state.
As the political landscape in Haryana evolves, the involvement of national sports figures like Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia could add a new dimension to the electoral battle, making the contest one to watch closely.