Haryana Election: Will Bajrang Punia Make His Poll Debut? Wrestler-Turned-Politician Ends Suspense

Haryana election: Wrestler Bajrang Punia has put his poll debut on hold as Vinesh Phogat is contesting the upcoming polls. Punia will support Phogat and work within the party, he said.

AICC General Secretary KC Venugopal with wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia during a press conference after joining the Congress party at the party headquarters, in New Delhi, Friday, Sept. 6, 2024.

Source : PTI

Wrestler Bajrang Punia revealed on Saturday put an end to suspense over his poll debut as he said between him and Vinesh Phogat, the latter will be contesting the election, and he will support her throughout the process. This came after Punia and his fellow wrestler Vinesh Phogat on Friday joined the Congress in the presence of key party leaders, including general secretary KC Venugopal, Pawan Khera, Haryana Congress chief Udai Bhan, and AICC Haryana in-charge Deepak Babaria. Both wrestlers had resigned from their positions with Northern Railways.

Over the election ticket to Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia told news agency ANI, "We had decided that only one of us would contest the election and she is contesting. I stand with Vinesh...I will work in the organisation and carry out the responsibility given by the High Command."

Notably, hours after he joined the Congress on Friday, Bajrang Punia was appointed working chairman of All India Kisan Congress. Vinesh Phogat was featured on the grand old party's first Haryana candidate list to contest the Julana seat.

Speaking over allegations that the wrestlers' protest was backed by the Congress after their recent joining of the party, Bajrang Punia questioned, "Why were we made to sit on protest? Who were they? Congress party's or someone else's? We had nothing to do with politics at that time. We did not allow any politician on our stage initially...It is their job to set a narrative...There is nothing like that..."

#WATCH | Rohtak, Haryana: On election ticket to Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia says, "We had decided that only one of us would contest election and she is contesting. I stand with Vinesh...I will work in the organisation and carry out the responsibility given by the High Command."… pic.twitter.com/BJRt0GxXZZ

— ANI (@ANI) September 7, 2024

He thanked his supporters saying, "I would like to thank everyone. I think I will receive the same love in politics that I received through wrestling. I have come here with a sense of service to people. I will work hard by being in the grassroots."

Punia expressed his commitment to addressing various issues such as those affecting farmers, athletes, labourers, and students, stating, "I am glad that today I am standing with a party that has been fighting against injustice. Be it on issues of farmers, players, or the Agniveer scheme, it is the right of people to raise their voice against what is wrong," Punia told ANI.

Their entry into the Congress comes just weeks ahead of the Haryana Assembly elections. Punia is an Olympic bronze medalist from the Tokyo Games, while Phogat is the first Indian woman wrestler to reach an Olympic final. Voting for the Haryana Assembly will take place on October 5, with results announced on October