Former Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat, who went through a massive heartbreak during the Paris Olympics 2024, is all set to make her debut in politics after joining the Congress party. Vinesh was disqualified from the women’s 50kg wrestling final at the Paris Olympics 2024 for being overweight and following her return, she decided to retire from the sport. She has filed her nomination for the upcoming Haryana elections and will be contesting from the Julana Constituency in Jind. The declaration of income and assets in the affidavit submitted by her while filing the nomination provided a sneak peek into her total assets.

According to the affidavit, Vinesh has three cars in her name – Volvo XC 60 (valued at Rs 35 lakh), Hyundai Creta (valued at Rs 12 lakh) and Toyota Innova (valued at Rs 17 lakh). 

It also stated that she is repaying a loan related to one of her cars.

When it comes to her immovable property, they were valued at Rs 2 crore.

Vinesh further declared that she has Rs 1.95 lakh in hand and according to her Income Tax returns, her income for the financial year 2023-24 was Rs 13,85,000.

Earlier, former wrestling coach and Vinesh Phogat’s uncle, Mahavir Singh Phogat, expressed that with Vinesh entering politics, his daughter Sangeeta Phogat will now carry forward his dream as he has already begun preparing her for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Last Friday, ex-wrestler Vinesh, along with Tokyo Olympic bronze medallist grappler Bajrang Punia (Sangeeta’s husband), joined the Congress and the former will make her electoral debut from Julana in Jind district.

“Vinesh should have played LA Olympics but now that she has moved to politics, we have started preparing Sangeeta Phogat for the 2028 Games, she will bring a medal for India. Because of Jantar Mantar protest, Sangeeta missed nationals. Babita Phogat’s knees are not fine, so no point of her coming back to mat,” Mahavir Phogat told IANS.

(With inputs from IANS)

Chandigarh:

Wrestler-turned-politician and Congress candidate for Haryana Assembly polls Vinesh Phogat filed her nomination from the Julana seat on Wednesday and appealed to people for their support so that her party could form a government under Bhupinder Singh Hooda’s leadership.

The Congress has not declared its chief ministerial candidate for Haryana and has maintained that if it comes to power, the party’s legislators and the high command will take a call on the matter.

Addressing a gathering in Julana after filing her nomination, Vinesh Phogat said, “Give your love and blessings to Congress so that it forms government under Bhupinder Hooda ji’s leadership and the development works that were stalled for the 10 years resumes.” 

The Congress’ Rohtak MP Deepender Singh Hooda and Sonipat MP Satpal Brahmachari accompanied the Olympic wrestler when she filed her nomination.

During her address, Vinesh Phogat also said, “Satpal Brahmachari sir has said Bhupinder Singh Hooda has to be made chief minister. You will have to work hard for that.” 

Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia, who were at the forefront of the wrestlers’ protest last year against then Wrestling Federation of India chief and former BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, recently joined the Congress.

Speaking to reporters, Deepender Hooda said Poghat will secure a “big win”. Not just the Julana seat, the Congress is going to secure an absolute majority and form government in Haryana under the leadership of Bhupinder Singh Hooda, he said.

“People have made up their mind that under Hooda Sahab’s leadership, the Congress has to be brought to power and BJP has to be ousted,” he said.

After filing her nomination, Vinesh Phogat said, “It is a matter of great happiness for me… In wrestling, we have learnt that never take your opponent lightly.” The wrestler-turned-politician, whose in-laws belong to Julana, said people of the assembly segment have reposed their faith in her and she will try to live up to their expectations. “They treated me more as a daughter than a daughter-in-law,” she said.

Referring to the wrestlers’ protest, she said they had to struggle on roads and face lathis. Vinesh Phogat thanked Deepender Hooda for extending support to them during that period.

Deepender Hooda said, “Phogat took on the system and the government for our daughters’ respect. It was not an ordinary struggle… that struggle will not just act as an inspiration for players only, but to the entire country.” 

The BJP has fielded Yogesh Bairagi, a former commercial pilot, against Olympian wrestler Vinesh Phogat in the Jat-dominated Julana Assembly segment. Before foraying into politics, Vinesh Phogat (30) retired from wrestling following the shock end to her Paris Olympic campaign. She was the first Indian woman grappler to reach the Olympics final but was disqualified after being found overweight by about 100 grams in her 50-kilogramme category weigh-in.

Voting for the 90 assembly seats in Haryana will be held on October 5 and votes will be counted on October 8.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

PT Usha had met Vinesh Phogat when the wrestler failed her weigh-in© X (Twitter)

Charkhi Dadri (Haryana):

Wrestler-turned-politician Babita Phogat has for the first time responded to her cousin Vinesh Phogat’s decision to join Congress, days ahead of the October 5 Assembly elections in Haryana.

Soon after her induction into the party on September 6, the Congress fielded Vinesh Phogat (30) from the Julana Assembly segment for the upcoming elections in Haryana.

Stating that Vinesh’s decision is her own, and everyone has their own perspectives and ideologies, Babita on Tuesday emphasised that the political arena is open to everyone, and anyone can participate in politics.

Earlier, Babita’s father and veteran wrestling coach Mahavir Phogat had suggested that Vinesh should participate in the 2028 Olympic Games to be held in Los Angeles.

“My papa is Vinesh’s mentor. Vinesh should have heeded her mentor’s advice. A mentor always aims to guide their disciples correctly by providing good training. A mentor never wants their disciples to stray from their path. If a disciple deviates, it is the mentor’s duty to set them back on the right path,” said Babita, who clinched the gold at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in the 55 kg category.

She also said that Vinesh Phogat made a ‘hasty’ decision as she had a good chance of winning a gold medal in the 2028 Olympics.

Regarding her own ticket for the upcoming Assembly elections, Babita Phogat said, “I have no regret about not receiving a ticket. I work for the BJP’s lotus symbol. I believe that whoever gets the lotus symbol, we will work with them, put in efforts, and make sure the lotus blooms. Looking at the current enthusiasm, I can confidently say that we will win the Charkhi Dadri Assembly seat.”

Stating that the BJP has carefully chosen Sunil Sangwan as its candidate from Charkhi Dadri, Babita said, “I stand by the party’s decision. The BJP will form the government in Haryana for the third time. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, the government will be formed with a clear majority.”

On veteran Congress leader and former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, she said, “He has succeeded in creating rifts within the Phogat family. The public will teach him a lesson; he is merely engaging in politics. Divide and rule has always been Congress’ policy. Congress leaders have historically engaged in dividing both the nation and families. In contrast, Prime Minister Narendra Modi works to unite families and the country. The BJP practises ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’.”
 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Olympian Wrestler-turned politician Vinesh Phogat today suggested that everything former Wrestling Federation chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh said has been proved wrong. His latest comments about her would prove no different, Ms Phogat said.

The former MP and Wrestling Federation chief had claimed that Ms Phogat’s entry into politics — with a Congress candidature from Haryana — only proved that the sexual harassment allegations against him and the subsequent protest by wrestlers were engineered by the party as well.

He also alleged that Ms Phogat violated rules in Olympics by trying out for two different weight categories the same day and hinted that her disqualification ahead of the final bout was a “result given by god”.

“Two BJP leaders had taken permission to sit at Jantar Mantar. He should look there. He would find all his answers,” Ms Phogat told NDTV in an exclusive interview today.

“As for Olympics — look, nobody cares what he says. Think of what he said — that he would hang himself if any woman came forward to accuse him. Many did. And what did he do? He said I tried to move forward by cheating. That i wanted to change the rules. That I do not want to compete at national levels or at trials. But I did compete nationally, I competed at trials, I went to Olympics,   I qualified by myself. I have proved him wrong at every turn and will do so now as well, for whatever he is saying,” she added.

New Delhi:

In response to Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia’s decision to join Congress, Haryana BJP president Mohan Lal Badoli said that players are the pride of our country and that the party does not do politics on them.

“Players are the pride of our country, we don’t do politics on them. They will work as a member of Congress after joining,” the Haryana BJP president told the news agency ANI on Friday.

#WATCH | Delhi: Haryana BJP president Mohan Lal Badoli said, “…We will announce the next list for the Haryana Assembly elections soon…”

On Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia joining Congress, Haryana BJP president Mohan Lal Badoli said, “Players are the pride of our country, we… pic.twitter.com/wOoBvYN5I7

— ANI (@ANI) September 6, 2024

In a big boost ahead of the Haryana Assembly elections, Olympian wrestlers Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat joined the Congress on Friday.

Within hours of his joining the party, Bajrang Punia was appointed working president of the All India Kisan Congress, while Vinesh Phogat was announced as a candidate from the Julana Assembly constituency.

Mr Punia and Ms Phogat joined the Congress in the presence of Congress general secretary KC Venugopal, party leader Pawan Khera, Udai Bhan, and AICC incharge of Haryana Deepak Babaria.

Vinesh Phogat recalled women wrestlers’ fight over sexual harassment allegations against former BJP MP and former WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. “The fight is continuing, it hasn’t ended yet. It’s in court. We will win that fight as well… With the new platform that we are getting today, we will work for the service of the nation,” she said.

The two well-known wrestlers joined the Congress almost a month before the Haryana assembly polls.

Mr Punia won bronze at the Tokyo Olympics, while Vinesh Phogat became the first woman wrestler to reach the Olympics final.

Ms Phogat announced her retirement from wrestling a short while after she was disqualified from the Paris Olympic Games after being found overweight by about 100 gm in her 50-kg category weigh-in ahead of the gold medal match.

Voting for the 90-member legislative assembly in Haryana will be held on October 5, with the last date for filing nominations being September 12. Votes will be counted on October 8.

New Delhi:

Former BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh has claimed that Vinesh Phogat joining the Congress and getting a ticket to contest the Haryana Assembly elections is proof that the sexual harassment charges and the wrestlers’ protest were a conspiracy against him by the party. 

The former Wrestling Federation of India chief has also alleged that Ms Phogat violated rules by trying out for two different weight categories for the Olympics on the same day and hinted that her disqualification ahead of the final bout was a “result given by god”.

Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia, who were at the forefront of the wrestlers’ protests against Mr Singh last year, joined the Congress on Friday and, hours later, Ms Phogat was announced as a candidate from the Julana Assembly constituency while Mr Punia has been appointed working president of the All India Kisan Congress.

Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Brij Bhushan Singh said in Hindi, “When the protests began on 18 January, 2023, I had said on day one that it is not a protest by wrestlers and the Congress is behind it. Especially (Congress leader and former Haryana chief minister) Bhupinder Hooda, (his son and MP) Deepender Hooda and Priyanka and Rahul Gandhi. Now that has been proven true.”

“The protest and the conspiracy against me had the involvement of the Congress and it was led by Bhupinder Hooda. I want to tell the people of Haryana that Bhupinder Hooda, Deepender Hooda, Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia did not protest for the respect of the girls… because of this, the daughters of Haryana are having to face shame. The Congress leaders and protesters are responsible for this. They used the daughters and hurt the respect of female wrestlers for political reasons. The script was written by the Congress,” he alleged. 

In the wake of the allegations and the protests, the three-time BJP MP had been denied a ticket for the Lok Sabha polls from his seat of Kaisergant in Uttar Pradesh. His son, Karan Bhushan Singh, was fielded instead and had emerged victorious. 

Insisting that the allegations against him are false and he was not in Delhi on the days on which he was accused of sexually harassing wrestlers, Brij Bhushan Singh said that the court will give its ruling. 

‘Violated Rules’

Ms Phogat had missed out on what would have been at least a silver medal after being disqualified for exceeding the weight limit by 100 grams ahead of the final bout in the 50 kg freestyle wrestling event at the Paris Olympics. She had defeated reigning gold medallist Yui Susaki of Japan on the road to the finals and her disqualification had broken a billion hearts. 

When Mr Singh was asked about this, he pointed out that he had said even earlier that a wrestler cannot give his or her weight for two categories on the same day as per the rules of governing body UWW (United World Wrestling).

“Vinesh Phogat appeared for trials in two weight categories on the same day. She kept the trials on hold for five hours. After losing in the 53 kg category 10-0, she fought in the 50kg category. Shivani Pawar was winning 5-1 but a commotion was created and the referees engaged in dishonesty and declared Ms Phogat the winner, and the result for this was given by God there,” he claimed.

Alleging that Ms Phogat had meted out injustice to wrestlers by doing what she had done at the trials, Mr Singh said that her entry into the Congress would not yield dividends for the party in the Haryana elections. 

‘Dragged On Road’

After joining the Congress on Friday, Ms Phogat had said that when the wrestlers were “dragged on the roads” during the protests, every party had stood with them, except the BJP.

“I want to thank the people of the country for supporting me during my wrestling career and I hope I live up to their expectations. I want to thank the Congress because, as they say, it is only when times are bad that one finds out who is standing with them. When we were dragged on the roads, every party other than the BJP stood with us and understood our pain and our tears… I am very proud to be associated with a party that stands up against misbehaviour and injustice against women,” she had said in Hindi. 

Voting will be held in Haryana for the 90 Assembly seats on October 5 and counting will be done on October 8. 

(With ANI inputs)

Vinesh Phogat has been given a ticket by the Congress to contest Haryana polls from Julana, marking a new beginning in the life of the famous sportstar whose Olympic disqualification broke the country’s heart.

Former chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda will contest from Garhi Sampla-Kiloi and state unit chief Udai Bhan from Hodal, said the party as it released a list of 31 names for the polls.

Congress’ Mewa Singh will square off against Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini from Ladwa.

Surender Panwar will contest from Sonipat, Bharat Bhushan Batra from Rohtak, Kuldeep Vats from Badli, Chiranjeev Rao from Revari and Neeraj Sharma from Faridabad NIT.

Earlier today, Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia, who were at the forefront of the wrestlers’ protest against then WFI chief and former BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, joined the Congress with a vow of “not being scared or backing off”.

“I thank the people of the country and the media, you supported me throughout my wrestling journey. I thank the Congress party, it is said tough times tell you about who is with you. When we were dragged on the roads, all parties except the BJP stood with us and understood our pain and tears,” said the 30-year-old ex wrestler, whose father was shot dead when she was nine years old.

Ms Phogat said she felt proud that she was with a party and an ideology that stood against injustice on women and was ready to fight the battle from the streets to Parliament.

“I am starting a new innings. I want sportspersons don’t have to face what we had to go through,” said Ms Phogat, adding that her move might inspire them.

The BJP, which has been in power in the state for a decade, replaced Manohar Lal Khattar with Nayab Singh Saini as its Chief Minister in March this year.

Rival Congress is in seat-sharing talks with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) for the 90 seats in Haryana. There is hard bargaining going on from both sides.

The state will go to polls in a single phase on October 5. The votes will be counted on October 8.

New Delhi:

Wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia quit their posts in the Northern Railways hours before joining the Congress on Friday, but sources in the railways have told NDTV that the resignations have not been accepted yet. While the sources did not say that the resignations would not be accepted, they added that Ms Phogat and Mr Punia cannot join any party or contest elections until that is done. 

Ahead of formally joining the Congress, Ms Phogat resigned as an officer on special duty (OSD) sports with the Northern Railways, citing personal reasons. 

Posting a photo of her resignation letter, the wrestler wrote on X: “Serving Indian Railways has been a memorable and proud time of my life. At this point in my life, I have decided to separate myself from my service in the railways and have submitted my resignation to the competent authorities of the Indian Railways. I will always be grateful to the Indian Railway family for this opportunity given to me by the Railways in the service of the nation.”

The sources said Mr Punia also resigned from the same post around the same time.

“Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia have taken membership of the Congress party without the railways approving their resignations. As per service rules, until the resignations are approved by the Railways, they cannot contest elections and cannot join any party,” said a source. 

The sources also contested Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal’s claim made during the press conference announcing the wrestlers’ joining that Ms Phogat had received a show-cause notice from the Railways after submitting her resignation.

“What was the reason? Yesterday, the media printed her photo with Rahul Gandhi. Is it a crime to stand with the leader of opposition in this country? They hadn’t told anybody. The Railways is running behind rumours. They are saying that there is news that ‘you (Ms Phogat) are going to contest the (Haryana) elections and you cannot do that. Give an explanation’… Bajrang also got it (a notice),” Mr Venugopal said.

“The railway authorities should not play politics on all these issues. They (Ms Phogat and Mr Punia) have already resigned, do the formalities and relieve them,” he added.

The railway sources, however, said that the notices were not issued on Friday, but on Wednesday, and spoke about the wrestlers being involved in political activities, which is not allowed as per service rules. 

“They were asked to reply and, after that, both of them submitted their resignation today (on Friday),” said a source. 

‘Grateful For Support’

Joining the Congress, Ms Phogat, who, along with Mr Punia and others, had led last year’s protests against the alleged sexual assault and intimidation by former Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, had said she was proud to be associated with a party that “stands up against misbehaviour and injustice against women”.

“I want to thank the people of the country for supporting me during my wrestling career and I hope I live up to their expectations. I want to thank the Congress because, as they say, it is only when times are bad that one finds out who is standing with them. When we were dragged on the roads, every party other than the BJP stood with us and understood our pain and our tears,” she said in Hindi.

The wrestlers’ move comes ahead of the Assembly elections in Haryana and sources have said that at least one of them will contest the polls, which will be held on October 5.

New Delhi:

Shaking up the political landscape in Haryana weeks ahead of the Assembly elections in the state, wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia have joined the Congress. 

Both Olympians, who had been at the forefront of last year’s protests against the alleged sexual assault and intimidation by former Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, had met senior Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday.

On Friday, Ms Phogat and Mr Punia, who are both 30 years old, met Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge at his residence before formally joining the party at its headquarters in New Delhi. 

“Chak de India, Chak de Haryana! Met our talented champions Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia, who have made India proud in the world, at 10, Rajaji Marg. We are proud of both of you,” Mr Kharge posted in Hindi on X. 

चक दे इंडिया, चक दे हरियाणा!

दुनिया में भारत का नाम रौशन करने वाले हमारे प्रतिभाशाली चैंपियन विनेश फोगाट और बजरंग पुनिया से 10 राजाजी मार्ग पर मुलाक़ात।

हमें आप दोनों पर गर्व है। pic.twitter.com/aFRwfFeeo1

— Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) September 6, 2024

Speaking at the event at the Congress office, Ms Phogat said it is only when times are bad that people know who is really standing with them. 

“I want to thank the people of the country for supporting me during my wrestling career and I hope I live up to their expectations. I want to thank the Congress because, as they say, it is only when times are bad that one finds out who is standing with them. When we were dragged on the roads, every party other than the BJP stood with us and understood our pain and our tears,” she said in Hindi.

“I am very proud to be associated with a party that stands up against misbehaviour and injustice against women… I want to assure the people of the country that we will work for them with the same intensity with which we worked in wrestling. We stand with every woman who finds herself helpless. If I wanted, I could have left wrestling at Jantar Mantar (during the protests) but I reached the finals of the Olympics… but God had other plans. He has now given me a chance to serve the people of my country,” she added.

Mr Punia said the Congress backed the wrestlers during their protest without even being asked to while BJP MPs ignored letters seeking their support.

“We are paying the price for raising our voice in support of the daughters of the country… We will keep working for the people of the country and strengthen the Congress party as well as India. Everyone was happy when Vinesh Phogat reached the finals but some people also celebrated when she was disqualified,” he said.

While no official announcement has been made yet, Ms Phogat is expected to contest from the Julana constituency, held by the Jannayak Janta Party, in the Haryana Assembly polls while Mr Punia is likely to be fielded from the Badli seat.

Resignation From Railways

Hours before joining the Congress, Ms Phogat resigned as an officer on special duty (OSD) with the Northern Railways, citing personal reasons. 

Posting a photo of her resignation letter, the wrestler wrote on X: “Serving Indian Railways has been a memorable and proud time of my life. At this point in my life, I have decided to separate myself from my service in the railways and have submitted my resignation to the competent authorities of the Indian Railways. I will always be grateful to the Indian Railway family for this opportunity given to me by the Railways in the service of the nation.

Ms Phogat’s popularity has received a boost recently after she missed out on what would have been at least a silver medal after being disqualified for exceeding the weight limit by 100 grams ahead of the final bout in the 50 kg freestyle wrestling event. The grit shown by the wrestler in defeating reigning gold medallist Yui Susaki of Japan and going on to enter the final had earned her plaudits while her eventual disqualification had broken a billion hearts. 

Farmers’ Support

Ms Phogat announced her retirement from wrestling after the disqualification and all eyes had been on her next steps. Last week, she reached the Haryana-Punjab Shambhu border, extended her support to farmers staging a protest for a legal guarantee for minimum support price (MSP) for crops and said she stood with them as their daughter. 

“Your agitation completes 200 days today. I pray to God that you get what you have come here for – your right, for justice…Your daughter stands with you. I also urge the government… we too are citizens of this country, if we raise our voices it is not political every time…You should hear them…What they are demanding is not unlawful,” she had said. 

Boost To Congress

The entry of the wrestlers into the Congress is expected to give it a boost as Ms Phogat is seen to enjoy support among farmers, who make up a significant voting bloc in Haryana. The Congress is hoping that the farmers’ anger against the BJP will help it dislodge the party from a state it has ruled since 2014. 

The Congress will also hope that Mr Punia and Ms Phogat joining the party will give it an upper hand in its negotiations with INDIA ally AAP in seat-sharing for the 90 constituencies in the state. While an in-principle agreement regarding an alliance had been announced on Wednesday, there appears to be a stalemate between the two parties with the AAP seeking 10 seats and the Congress willing to give up only five to seven. 

Upbeat after winning five out of the 10 Lok Sabha seats in Haryana this year after the BJP’s clean sweep in 2019, the state unit of the Congress was reluctant to part with any Assembly constituencies but the push for a tie-up has reportedly come from Rahul Gandhi, who has maintained that it will ensure there is no division of votes and give the party its best possible chance to defeat the BJP. 

Differences within the Congress have reportedly delayed its first list of candidates and the BJP has been facing pushback and a rebellion since it did so on Wednesday, with Energy Minister Ranjit Chautala and MLA Lakshman Napa quitting the party after being denied tickets. Mr Chautala has said he will contest as an Independent and Mr Napa has announced that he will be joining the Congress.

Mr Chautala is the son of Chaudhary Devi Lal Chaudhary, one of Haryana’s tallest leaders, who served as chief minister twice and was also a deputy prime minister.