Wrestlers Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat to Contest Haryana Assembly Polls on Congress Ticket

Wrestlers Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat met with former Congress president Rahul Gandhi and are likely to contest the Haryana assembly polls on the party's ticket. Deliberations are ongoing to finalize their seats, with Julana and Badli under consideration. Voting will be held on October 5, with counting on October 8.

Wrestlers Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat have reportedly met with former Congress president Rahul Gandhi, amid speculation that they will contest in the upcoming Haryana assembly elections on the Congress ticket.

Sources indicate that discussions are underway to finalize suitable seats for the wrestlers, with Julana and Badli being considered for Phogat and Punia, respectively. The Congress party posted a photograph of Gandhi alongside the two wrestlers on its official social media handle.

Meanwhile, AICC General Secretary Deepak Babaria stated clarity on their candidatures would be provided by Thursday. Punia is renowned for his Tokyo Games bronze medal, while Phogat made history as the first woman wrestler to reach the Olympics final, though she was disqualified in the weigh-in due to being overweight. The two wrestlers were also part of the protests against former BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh in 2023. The Haryana assembly elections are scheduled for October 5, with vote counting set for October 8.

(With inputs from agencies.)