The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP and former Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar has claimed that last year's wrestlers' protest was "politically motivated" following a meeting between Olympians Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. Hundreds of wrestlers protested at Jantar Mantar last year, accusing Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Singh Sharan of sexual exploitation and intimidation, demanding his resignation and dissolution of the federation.
Khattar, who Union Minister of Power, and Housing and Urban Affairs, said that athletes got "trapped in a political maze" during the protests, and it is clear a 'nexus' was behind the agitation.
"I think our athletes got trapped in a political maze during the protests. What started back then is reaching its climax now. The wrestlers' protests were politically motivated. These people (wrestlers) are seeking a ticket from the Congress. This means that there is a nexus. If it wasn't clear then, it is absolutely clear now," news agency ANI quoted Khattar as saying.
Wrestlers Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat met former Congress president Rahul Gandhi in Delhi on Wednesday with reports saying Olympians are likely to contest the upcoming Haryana assembly polls on the party's ticket.
As per reports, deliberations are on to finalise the seats for the two wrestlers with Julana and Badli seats under consideration for Phogat and Punia respectively.
Khattar also spoke on speculations of Congress and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) alliance, and said, "Congress's weakness reflects through this. Until yesterday neither AAP nor Congress were ready for an alliance with each other. We can see the strength of those who were saying that they would contest on their own, they are now forging an alliance with 2 parties. The character of their alliance will come to light...There will definitely be chaos there and their victory is not certain. There will be infighting and BJP will benefit."
The Congress and AAP are engaged in seat-sharing talks for the Haryana Assembly polls with hard bargaining from both sides. Voting on 90 assembly seats in Haryana will be held on October 5 and counting of votes will be undertaken on October 8.