NEW DELHI: A day after meeting Rahul Gandhi , wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia joined Congress on Friday, lashing out at BJP for "ditching them" during their struggle for honour. Late at night, Phogat was announced as the Congress candidate from Julana assembly constituency. The party also issued a statement announcing the appointment of Punia as the working chairman of All India Kisan Congress with immediate effect.
Congress general secretary K C Venugopal, flanked by Haryana unit chief Uday Bhan, state in-charge Deepak Babaria and spokesman Pawan Khera, welcomed the two wrestlers and said "it is a proud moment for Congress".
When we were being dragged on roads, BJP backed BBSS: Vinesh Phogat
The wrestlers said they "will not be scared or back off" and will carry on their struggle. The duo also met Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge at his residence.
Venugopal complained that railways Friday issued a showcause notice to Phogat for meeting Rahul Gandhi even though she has resigned from her job. He said the country stands with the Olympian wrestlers and the govt should relieve her from her duties without delay, and "not play politics". He said Punia too received a showcause notice. "Is it a crime to stand with the leader of opposition of the country," he asked.
Profusely thanking Congress, Phogat said, "It is in tough times that one comes to know about the well-wishers. When we were dragged on the roads, all the parties except BJP stood with us and associated with our pain." Instead, she said, BJP chose to support Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, then MP and Wrestling Federation chief against whom they had levelled charges of sexual harassment. Punia urged the country to review their support for BJP "which is harassing women, farmers, jawans".
With their political plunge coming in the backdrop of upcoming Haryana polls , Punia and Phogat left no doubt that BJP is their target. While Phogat refused to comment if her disqualification in the Olympics was part of a "conspiracy" as alleged by many in the country and said she would speak on the "emotional issue" after some time, Punia said the entire country was sad when Phogat was stripped of the final match but the BJP IT cell chose to celebrate.
Phogat said the BJP IT cell had convinced the country that she was a spent force who was protesting because she did not want to contest the nationals and wanted to avoid the trials. "But I did all of that and even went to the Olympics," she remarked.
Venugopal said political leaders come through movements, and Phogat and Punia have come through a big movement.
Congress general secretary K C Venugopal, flanked by Haryana unit chief Uday Bhan, state in-charge Deepak Babaria and spokesman Pawan Khera, welcomed the two wrestlers and said "it is a proud moment for Congress".
When we were being dragged on roads, BJP backed BBSS: Vinesh Phogat
The wrestlers said they "will not be scared or back off" and will carry on their struggle. The duo also met Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge at his residence.
Venugopal complained that railways Friday issued a showcause notice to Phogat for meeting Rahul Gandhi even though she has resigned from her job. He said the country stands with the Olympian wrestlers and the govt should relieve her from her duties without delay, and "not play politics". He said Punia too received a showcause notice. "Is it a crime to stand with the leader of opposition of the country," he asked.
Profusely thanking Congress, Phogat said, "It is in tough times that one comes to know about the well-wishers. When we were dragged on the roads, all the parties except BJP stood with us and associated with our pain." Instead, she said, BJP chose to support Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, then MP and Wrestling Federation chief against whom they had levelled charges of sexual harassment. Punia urged the country to review their support for BJP "which is harassing women, farmers, jawans".
With their political plunge coming in the backdrop of upcoming Haryana polls , Punia and Phogat left no doubt that BJP is their target. While Phogat refused to comment if her disqualification in the Olympics was part of a "conspiracy" as alleged by many in the country and said she would speak on the "emotional issue" after some time, Punia said the entire country was sad when Phogat was stripped of the final match but the BJP IT cell chose to celebrate.
Phogat said the BJP IT cell had convinced the country that she was a spent force who was protesting because she did not want to contest the nationals and wanted to avoid the trials. "But I did all of that and even went to the Olympics," she remarked.
Venugopal said political leaders come through movements, and Phogat and Punia have come through a big movement.
