Bajrang Punia extends support to Vinesh Phogat for Haryana poll battle; vows to fulfil High Command's responsibilities

Rohtak (Haryana) [India], September 7 (ANI): Wrestler Bajrang Punia on Saturday extended his support to fellow wrestler Vinesh Phogat, who is contesting the Haryana Assembly elections from Julana, and said that he will work in the organisation and carry out the responsibility given by the party's 'High Command'.
"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," he said.
When asked about the allegations of wrestlers' protests backed by Congress in wake of them joining the party, Punia said that they had nothing to do with politics at that time.
"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 politicians on our stage initially...It is their job to set a narrative...There is nothing like that," he said.
"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 added.
Earlier on Friday, former Wrestling Federation of India president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh said the joining of Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia to the Congress party proves that the entire wrestlers' movement was a "conspiracy" against him and the Congress party was behind it.
Brij Bhushan further stated that the Congress would regret their decision and claimed that the wrestler's protest that started in Jantar Mantar in January last year was not a movement of sportspersons and Congress was behind it, which was led by Bhupinder Hooda.
"On 18th January 2023, when the protest started at Jantar Mantar, I said that this is not a movement of sportspersons; Congress is behind it. Especially Bhupinder Hooda, Deepender Hooda, Priyanka Ji, and Rahul Ji. This is a movement of Congress. And today this thing has been proved. In this entire movement, the conspiracy that happened against us, Congress was involved in it and Bhupinder Hooda was leading it," he said.
"One day Congress will have to regret it," he further added. Singh further alleged that the wrestler's protest was not for the dignity of women, adding that because of the protests, the 'daughters' of Haryana are facing embarrassment.
On September 6, the two ace wrestlers joined the Congress almost a month before the Haryana assembly polls.
Within hours of them joining the party, wrestler Vinesh Phogat was fielded in the Julana constituency for the upcoming Haryana polls. Whereas, Bajrang Punia was appointed working president of the All India Kisan Congress.
The voting to the 90-member legislative assembly in Haryana will be held on October 5 and the last date for filing nominations is September 12. The counting of votes will be held on October 8.
In the 2019 elections, the BJP, with 40 seats in the 90-member assembly, formed a coalition government with the JJP, which had won 10 seats, while the Congress secured 31 seats. Earlier this year, the BJP-JJP alliance was dissolved. (ANI)