Not Babita but can Vinesh be first Phogat to enter Haryana Assembly?

New Delhi: With sports careers often having a limited shelf life, transitioning to politics can be a powerful way for athletes to continue making a difference. Olympian Vinesh Phogat, known for her remarkable wrestling achievements, seems poised to make such a transition. With the Haryana assembly elections fast approaching on October 5, speculation is rife about Vinesh’s potential political debut.

On September 4, Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia, another celebrated wrestler, met senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal. Although there hasn't been an official announcement, their meeting sparked speculation about their entry into the political arena. According to media reports, Vinesh Phogat may contest the elections and has been offered a choice of two seats: Charkhi Dadri (Bhiwani-Mahendragarh) and Julana (Jind).

Phogats and politics

While Vinesh's candidacy is still speculative, she won’t be the first Phogat to test political waters. In the 2019 Haryana assembly elections, Babita Phogat, another Commonwealth Games medalist and Vinesh's cousin, contested on a BJP ticket from Charkhi Dadri. Despite her fame, Babita finished third, securing around 24,000 votes, while Somveer Sangwan, an independent candidate, claimed victory, followed by JJP candidate Satpal Sangwan.

Bhushan triggered Phogat's shifts toward Congress

Unlike her cousins, who align with the BJP, Vinesh has shown an affinity for Congress. This shift may be linked to the BJP's handling of the Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh case, where the former WFI chief was accused of sexual harassment by women wrestlers, including Vinesh.

Although initially keeping politicians at arm’s length during the protests, Vinesh later called for political support when the BJP appeared to downplay the issue. Congress leaders, particularly Bhupinder Singh Hooda and his son Deependra Hooda, were among the first to support the wrestlers, deepening Vinesh’s connection to the party.

Vinesh recently announced her retirement

Vinesh Phogat has faced ups and downs in her athletic career. Recently, she reached the finals of the 50-kg category at the Paris Olympics, only to be disqualified for being just 100 grams overweight. The disqualification not only cost her the gold medal but also left her without a silver due to complex regulations. The disappointment led Vinesh to announce her retirement from wrestling.

If Vinesh Phogat enters the political arena, it could mark a new chapter for the Phogat family, continuing their legacy of excellence—this time, in the political field.