Rahul Gandhi with wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia. (Image: X/@INCIndia)
The BJP leader’s remarks came hours after the wrestlers met the Congress leader. There is speculation that the wrestlers may join the Congress and contest the upcoming Haryana assembly elections.
Union Minister and former Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar reacted on wrestlers on Wednesday Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia meet Congress leader and Lok Sabha leader Rahul Gandhi and said the meeting proved that the wrestlers’ protest last year was “politically motivated”.
“I feel our athletes have been caught in a political maze during the protests. What started then is now reaching its peak. These people (wrestlers) are asking for tickets from the Congress. This means the entire protest was politically motivated…” Khattar was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.
#Watch Haryana elections | Union Minister ML Khattar said, “I think at that time (wrestlers’ protest) our athletes were caught in a political maze. Today it is reaching its peak, the same people are pleading with Congress for tickets. This means the whole matter was political…” pic.twitter.com/6y0rJgDSYq— ANI (@ANI) September 4, 2024
The BJP leader’s remarks came hours after the wrestlers met the Congress leader. There is speculation that the wrestlers may join the Congress and contest the upcoming Haryana assembly elections.
The speculation intensified after the Congress shared a photo of Gandhi with Phogat and Punia on its official X handle. In the photo, Gandhi is seen resting his hand on Punia’s shoulder and holding Phogat’s hand.
Congress sources said the party has offered a ticket to Vinesh and told Punia that he would be included in the government if the party comes to power.
Punia and Phogat were part of a months-long protest against former BJP MP and then Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh over sexual harassment allegations in 2023.
Reacting to the speculation, All India Congress Committee (AICC) Haryana in-charge Deepak Babaria on Tuesday said that there was no discussion on the candidature of Vinesh or Bajrang in the meeting.
When Babaria was asked if Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia’s names are among the 32 candidates that have already been finalised, he said, “Vinesh Phogat or Bajrang Punia’s name is not among them. I think there will be clarity on this by the day after tomorrow.”
Voting for the 90-member Haryana Assembly will be held on October 5 and counting of votes will take place on October 8.
