Wrestler Vinesh Phogat Considers Political Leap with Congress

Wrestler Vinesh Phogat has sparked speculation about joining the Congress party and contesting in the October 1 Haryana assembly polls after meeting with Congress leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda in Delhi. Phogat, supported by Hooda's family, has received vocal backing for her previous agitation against the Wrestling Federation of India's chief.

Wrestler Vinesh Phogat met with Congress leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda and his family in Delhi on Friday, fueling speculation that she may join the Congress to contest the upcoming Haryana assembly polls.

Deepender Singh Hooda, Congress' Rohtak MP, shared a post on X announcing a family meeting with Phogat and her husband Somveer Rathi, referring to her as the pride of Haryana.

This potential political shift follows Deepender Hooda's hearty welcome of Phogat, who faced a setback at the Paris Olympics, and his vocal support for her and other wrestlers' protests against sexual harassment allegations within the Wrestling Federation of India.

(With inputs from agencies.)