Decoding Rahul Gandhi’s meet with wrestlers Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia

On Wednesday morning, a white SUV with tinted windows drove into 10 Janpath, sparking a flurry of activity among journalists and camerapersons eager to catch a glimpse of its occupants.

However, their efforts were in vain, and after half an hour, the vehicle departed the high-profile Akbar Road address in the same discreet manner.

Shortly afterward, the Congress released a photograph of wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia with Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi. In the picture, Rahul Gandhi stands with his arm around Punia’s shoulder while holding Phogat’s hand, seemingly sending a message of solidarity and readiness for the battles ahead.

The meeting with Rahul Gandhi has intensified speculation that Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia may enter electoral politics in the upcoming Haryana Assembly election. Their potential entry would be a significant boost for the Congress, which is aiming to consolidate Jat votes and capitalise on the anti-incumbency sentiment against the BJP.

From the start, the Congress was quick to grasp the gravity of the allegations made by the wrestlers against the former Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. The party launched a full-scale attack on the government regarding the wrestlers’ issue and against Brij Bhushan, who was a BJP MP at the time of the wrestlers’ protest last year.

After Vinesh Phogat’s heartbreaking miss for a medal in the 2024 Olympic Games, Congress veteran and former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Hooda proposed offering her a Rajya Sabha seat in recognition of her achievements. However, Phogat did not meet the age requirement for a Rajya Sabha nomination.

This, however, presented the Congress with a new opportunity to demonstrate its support for the wrestler and her cause.

The potential induction of Phogat and Punia into politics could put the BJP on the defensive over sensitive issues like women’s safety while also appealing to regional pride in Haryana.

Vinesh Phogat, originally from Charkhi Dadri, might consider contesting from her home town. However, the Julana constituency in Jind district could be a more likely choice, given her family ties and influence there. A contest in Charkhi Dadri could lead to a “clash of the cousins” scenario if the BJP fields her cousin, Babita Phogat, from the same constituency. Given her current popularity, Vinesh may wish to avoid such a confrontation.

Meanwhile, Bajrang Punia, who met Rahul Gandhi today, also had a discussion with Congress general secretary KC Venugopal, as per sources.

Punia could be in contention for a ticket from Badli, his home town. However, for the Congress, this could require some negotiation as it would mean the current MLA, Kuldeep Vats, stepping aside. The current MLA from Badli, Kuldeep Vats, is a seasoned politician who previously defeated BJP heavyweight and former minister OP Dhankar.

Given Vats’ stronghold in the region, sources indicate that Venugopal proposed an alternative plan where Punia could be offered a significant position within the Congress organisation instead of a direct electoral role.

The Congress hopes to leverage the goodwill of the wrestlers to its advantage. Adding these star athletes to its roster of candidates could strengthen its position in Haryana, a state where sports play a significant role in society.