Two of India's most celebrated wrestlers, Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia, have joined the Indian National Congress ahead of the 2024 General Elections. The formal induction ceremony took place at the Congress headquarters in New Delhi, with senior party leaders welcoming the athletes into the fold. The move is seen as a strategic boost for the Congress, which has been attempting to widen its appeal across various segments of the population. Both Phogat and Punia are well-known figures in the sports community and have been vocal about issues beyond the wrestling arena, including their support for social causes and farmer protests.
On Wednesday, senior Congress politician and politician of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi met with the Olympians, who were leading last year's protests against the alleged sexual assault and intimidation by former Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. The thirty-year-olds Mr. Punia and Ms. Phogat met Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge at his home on Friday before formally joining the party at its New Delhi headquarters.
The entry of Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia into the Congress is expected to have significant political ramifications, particularly in Haryana, where both athletes hail from. Haryana is a key state for the upcoming elections, and the Congress hopes that the popularity of Phogat and Punia will translate into electoral gains.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge welcomed the duo, stating, "We are thrilled to have Vinesh and Bajrang join us. Their achievements in sports are commendable, and their dedication to social justice makes them valuable assets to our party. We believe their involvement will inspire many young Indians to engage with politics."
As the 2024 elections approach, the Congress is likely to deploy Phogat and Punia in key roles, particularly in their home state of Haryana, where they enjoy immense popularity. Their entry is expected to energize the party's campaign, especially among the youth and sports enthusiasts.
