Wrestler Vinesh Phogat has been granted a Congress ticket to contest the Haryana elections from Julana, marking the start of a new chapter for the renowned athlete.
Phogat, who was recently disqualified from the final of 2024 Paris Olympics, joins the electoral race following her high-profile involvement in protests against the former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief, Brij Bhushan Singh.
Former Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda will contest from Garhi Sampla-Kiloi, while state Congress president Udai Bhan is set to run from Hodal, according to the party’s announcement of 31 candidates. Mewa Singh will take on incumbent Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini in Ladwa, while other key candidates include Surender Panwar from Sonipat, Bharat Bhushan Batra from Rohtak, and Neeraj Sharma from Faridabad NIT.
Earlier yesterday, Phogat and fellow wrestler Bajrang Punia officially joined Congress.
Phogat thanked the public and media for their support throughout her wrestling career and said her decision was motivated by the party's stand against injustice, particularly towards women. Reflecting on her disqualification from the Olympics, she vowed to use her platform to ensure other athletes do not face similar challenges.
"I am beginning a new journey, and I hope this inspires other athletes. I am proud to be part of a party that stands for justice and women's rights," Phogat stated.
The BJP, in power in Haryana for the past decade, recently replaced Manohar Lal Khattar with Nayab Singh Saini as chief minister. The Congress, meanwhile, is in discussions with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) regarding seat-sharing arrangements for the state's 90 constituencies ahead of the single-phase election on October 5.
The results will be announced on October 8.