Noting that both Punia and Phogat have stood up against all odds and endured much criticism for backing the causes of women wrestlers and farmers, Venugopal said “leaders are born in great moments”.
Taking a jab at “rival parties” who have alleged that Phogat and Punia joining the grand old party was part of a “Congress conspiracy”, Venugopal said: “So many athletes and Olympians are part of politics, is this all a conspiracy of the Congress? We are proud that these stalwarts of sports, through their experience, have picked the Congress as they know which party to trust.”
Will Phogat contest polls?
Both Phogat and Punia have resigned from their positions in the Indian Railways, signaling their full commitment to their new political roles. Their entry into Congress is viewed as a significant boost for the party, particularly in the context of the Haryana elections, where they are expected to influence public sentiment and voter turnout
Several media reports citing party sources said that Punia will not be contesting the upcoming Haryana assembly elections and is likely to be appointed as the co-chairman of the campaign committee of Haryana Congress for the polls. Meanwhile, Vinesh Phogat will contest the state elections and her seat will be finalised soon.
Polling in Haryana will be held on October 5. Votes will be counted on October 8.
Congress slams railways over show-cause notices to Phogat, Punia
Phogat and Punia joined the Congress a day after meeting Lok Sabha LoP and party MP Rahul Gandhi in Delhi.
During the presser on Friday, Venugopal revealed that the railways had sent show-cause notices to Punia and Phogat over the meeting.
“Vinesh Phogat and Punia resigned from their railways jobs and they have received a show-cause notice. The railways, citing rumours, said there are reports that you [Phogat] are going to contest the elections. The railways says Phogat cannot contest as she is a railways employee and has asked for an explanation. This notice happened before there was any announcement of them joining the Congress, they only met the LoP. Is it a crime to meet the Leader of the Opposition?,” asked Venugopal.
In a stern statement, Venugopal told the railways authorities: “I am reminding the railways that the entire country is behind Phogat and Punia … don’t play politics. They have already resigned from their railway jobs … railways authorities should complete the formalities quickly and leave them.”
Congress-AAP alliance
Meanwhile, Congress and AAP have started seat-sharing talks for the Haryana assembly polls which could lead to the continuation of the alliance they had in the state during the Lok Sabha polls earlier this year.
The Congress has formed a three-member committee, which includes the party’s screening committee chairman for the state Ajay Maken, AICC in-charge of Haryana Deepak Babaria and former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, for seat-sharing talks with Aam Aadmi Party and Samajwadi Party.
Party general secretary KC Venugopal will oversee the work of the committee.
Congress sources said that the party is willing to give 3-5 seats to AAP and one to the Samajwadi Party in Haryana which has a 90-member assembly.