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Former Wrestling Federation of India chief and BJP leader Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh leaves the Rouse Avenue Court after the Court framed charges against him in an alleged sexual harassment case, in New Delhi, Tuesday, May 21, 2024. (Photo: PTI)
What did Brij Bhushan say about Vinesh Phogat?
After Phogat and Bajrang Punia joined the Congress party on Friday, Singh made a series of inappropriate remarks, including claiming that Punia’s mental condition has deteriorated. He also alleged that the wrestlers were being used by the Congress as “pawns” in a “conspiracy” to take control of the Wrestling Federation of India. Regarding Vinesh, Singh even alleged that she got admitted to the Paris Olympics by “cheating,” which led to her disqualification from the Games as a form of punishment by God.
After both wrestlers were inducted into the Congress, senior Haryana BJP leader Anil Vij remarked that the party has no objection if Phogat wants to become “Congress ki beti” from “desh ki beti.”
Congress bets on Phogat for key Haryana battle
The Congress has named Phogat as a candidate from Julana, while Punia has been appointed as the working chairman of the Congress’s farmers’ wing. Both of them were embroiled in a significant political controversy last year after they accused Singh, then the head of India’s wrestling body, of sexually exploiting several wrestlers and misusing his power.
As the controversy intensified, the BJP chose not to re-nominate Singh for the Lok Sabha seat from Uttar Pradesh’s Kaiserganj, where he had a stronghold. Instead, the party awarded the ticket to his son, Karan Bhushan Singh.
The Congress’s move to induct Phogat and Punia into the party may benefit it in north Haryana, where the farmers’ movement against the BJP has been active. Farmers had supported the wrestlers during their protests against Singh, and the wrestlers have frequently backed the farmers’ demands.
First Published: Sep 09 2024 | 11:24 AM IST
