Congress names Bajrang Punia as working chairman of all India Kisan Congress ahead of Haryana elections 2024

New Delhi: In a significant political move, Olympic wrestler Bajrang Punia was appointed as the Working Chairman of the All India Kisan Congress just hours after joining the Congress party on Friday. The announcement was made by Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal in a press release.

"Hon'ble Congress President has approved the proposal of the appointment of Shri Bajrang Punia as the Working Chairman of All India Kisan Congress, with immediate effect," Venugopal stated.

मैं हमारे अध्यक्ष श्री @kharge जी, नेता विपक्ष @RahulGandhi जी, @kcvenugopalmp जी का धन्यवाद करना चाहूँगा, जो मुझे इतनी बड़ी ज़िम्मेदारी दी.

मैं संकट से झूझ रहे किसानों के साथ कंधे से कंधा मिलाकर उनके संघर्षों का साथी बनने की कोशिश करूँगा और संगठन का सच्चा सिपाही बनकर काम… https://t.co/DTKu8M7LmT

— Bajrang Punia 🇮🇳 (@BajrangPunia) September 6, 2024

Punia's Commitment to Farmers' Struggles

Bajrang Punia expressed gratitude to Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi, and KC Venugopal for entrusting him with this "big responsibility." He assured the party and farmers that he would stand with them during times of crisis. "I will try to stand shoulder to shoulder with the farmers facing the crisis and become a partner in their struggle, working as a true soldier of the organization,” Punia posted in Hindi on X (formerly Twitter).

Political Speculation and His Role in Wrestlers' Protests

Punia’s appointment has also sparked speculation about his possible candidacy in the upcoming Haryana Assembly elections, especially as Congress has already fielded fellow wrestler Vinesh Phogat from Julana.

Both Punia and Phogat were prominent figures in the 2023 wrestlers’ protests against the then-Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, a former BJP MP. Punia recalled the support Congress extended during that time, contrasting it with the ruling BJP’s stance. He remarked, "What the BJP IT Cell is saying today...we had written to all women BJP MPs to stand with us but they didn’t come."

He further emphasized his dedication to strengthening Congress, criticizing the BJP for its perceived lack of support for women's rights during the protests.