Vinesh and Bajrang Meet Rahul Gandhi, May Join Congress for Haryana Elections

In a surprising turn of events, as reported by The Haryana Story, famous Indian wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia met with Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday. This meeting has sparked widespread speculation about the athletes' possible entry into politics, specifically for the upcoming Haryana assembly elections. 

Vinesh and Bajrang, both well-known for their wrestling achievements, gained additional public attention last year when they led protests against the Wrestling Federation of India's former chief, Brij Bhushan Singh Sharan. The wrestlers accused him of sexual exploitation, demanding his removal from the position.

The meeting with Rahul Gandhi took place in the morning before he left for Kashmir to campaign for elections there. This timing is significant because the Congress party is currently in the process of selecting candidates for the Haryana assembly polls scheduled for October 5. So far, the party has finalized candidates for 66 out of 90 seats. 

According to Deepak Babaria, the person in charge of Congress affairs in Haryana, the party will decide in the next day or two whether Vinesh or Bajrang will receive tickets to contest the elections. This statement further fuels the speculation about their political futures.

If they do join the Congress and contest the elections, Vinesh Phogat might run from either the Julana seat in Jind district or the Badhra seat in Charkhi Dadri district. On the other hand, Bajrang Punia is reportedly interested in contesting from the Badli seat in Jhajjar district. However, this choice might be complicated because the current member of the legislative assembly (MLA) for Badli is already from the Congress party. 

This potential move by Vinesh and Bajrang from sports to politics is not uncommon in India, where many athletes have successfully transitioned into political careers. Their popularity as sports stars could potentially help them connect with voters, especially the youth.

The entry of these wrestlers into politics could also bring more attention to sports-related issues in Haryana, a state known for producing many of India's top athletes. Their firsthand experience with the challenges faced by athletes might influence their political priorities if they are elected.

As The Haryana Story continues to follow this developing situation, many people in Haryana and across India will be watching closely to see if these champion wrestlers will indeed step into the political ring. Their decision could have a significant impact on both the upcoming elections and the future of sports policy in the state.