New Delhi: Ahead of the crucial Haryana assembly election, wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia on Friday joined the Indian National Congress, thus putting to rest all speculations that were floating for quite some time.
Both wrestlers joined the party in presence of its general secretary KC Venugopal, spokesperson Pawan Khera and other leaders at the AICC headquarters here.
Addressing the media, KC Venugopal said, "Today is a big day for the Congress. It's a proud moment for all of us as we welcome Vinesh Phogat ji and Bajrang Punia ji to our Congress family".
He said during the movement Vinesh Phogat led along with Bajrang Punia and other wrestlers for the self-respect of women, the Congress party including its leaders Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge and many others stood with them for their genuine cause.
After joining the party, Phogat said, “I thank the Congress party for standing with us during our bad times. We were standing on the street and fighting for justice and it was Congress party that stood with us”.
“When we were being dragged on the road, all of you were with us except BJP. You were able to understand our pain and tears. I am proud that I am associated with an ideology that stands against the injustice done to women and is ready to fight for their rights from the streets to the Parliament,” Phogat said.
Addressing the media, Bajrang Punia said, “The Congress party was with us when we were fighting for justice. We had even sent letters to all women MPs of BJP to join us in our fight for justice for our daughters but they did not come”.
"We will fight together against injustice and stand with Congress in every struggle," Punia said.
Before officially taking a political plunge, Phogat during the day resigned from the Indian Railways with immediate effect, thus setting the stage for taking a plunge into politics.
Earlier in the day, Phogat and Punia accompanied by Venugopal met Congress president Kharge at his official residence here.
Kharge in a post on X said, “Chak de India, Chak de Haryana! Meeting our talented champions Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia who have made India proud in the world at 10 Rajaji Marg. We are proud of both of you”.
A couple of days earlier, both the decorated wrestlers had met the Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi here, triggering speculations that they might join the grand old party and contest the upcoming Haryana assembly election.