'We chose this party because...' : Bajrang Punia on why he and Vinesh Phogat joined Congress | EXCLUSIVE
3 months, 2 weeks ago

'We chose this party because...' : Bajrang Punia on why he and Vinesh Phogat joined Congress | EXCLUSIVE

India TV News  

Olympians Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia, who were at the forefront of the wrestlers' protest against then WFI chief and former BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, entered the political arena on Friday by joining the Congress with a vow of "not being scared or backing off". In an exclusive interview with India TV wrestler Bajrang Punia praised the Congress' organisational structure and also invited Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh to Haryana. Hours after joining the Congress, Punia was appointed the working chairman of All India Kisan Congress by the party. Punia and Phogat were part of the protest over sexual harassment allegations against former BJP MP and then Wrestling Federation of India chief Singh in 2023.

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History of this topic

Babita Phogat's Role in WFI Agitation Under Scrutiny
2 months ago

Babita Phogat's Role in WFI Agitation Under Scrutiny

Deccan Chronicle  

Former wrestler Sakshi Malik alleges that Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Babita Phogat played a central role in the recent wrestlers' agitation. Malik claims that Phogat encouraged the protests to position herself as the WFI president, using the support of Congress and some BJP leaders to achieve her goals.

Malik Claims Babita Phogat Orchestrated Wrestlers' Protest, Sparks Controversy
Trending News
2 months ago

Malik Claims Babita Phogat Orchestrated Wrestlers' Protest, Sparks Controversy

Firstpost  

Sakshi Malik reveals Babita Phogat's role in wrestlers' protest, claiming she initiated the movement but failed to anticipate Phogat's ambitious approach. She also makes sensational claims regarding Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist Punia and Vinesh, claiming their decision to accept trial exemption hurt the image of the protest.

Sakshi Malik Claims Babita Phogat Encouraged WFI Protests, But It's Not All About Her
2 months ago

Sakshi Malik Claims Babita Phogat Encouraged WFI Protests, But It's Not All About Her

Hindustan Times  

Sakshi Malik claims that Babita Phogat of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was the one who motivated wrestlers to start the protest against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. She said Phogat approached wrestlers with the idea of protesting against Singh because she had her own agenda, which was to become the WFI president.

Vinesh Phogat files nomination from Julana constituency: 'Will work hard for welfare of people'
3 months, 1 week ago

Vinesh Phogat files nomination from Julana constituency: 'Will work hard for welfare of people'

India TV News  

Haryana Assembly Elections 2024: Wrestler and Congress candidate Vinesh Phogat on Wednesday filed nomination from Haryana's Julana Assembly Constituency and said she will work for the welfare of the people in his constituency. While campaigning in her constituency, Vinesh Phogat on Sunday said she expects to win each battle with the blessings of people as kicked off her campaign for …

Haryana assembly polls: Mahavir Phogat opposes Vinesh’s decision to join politics
3 months, 2 weeks ago

Haryana assembly polls: Mahavir Phogat opposes Vinesh’s decision to join politics

Hindustan Times  

Wrestler-turned politician Vinesh Phogat’s uncle and BJP leader Mahavir Phogat on Monday said that he was against Vinesh joining the politics and contesting from Julana assembly segment in Jind. BJP leader Mahavir Phogat Talking to media at his native village Balali in Charkhi Dadri, Mahavir said that Vinesh should have focused on her game to win a gold medal in …

Keep quiet, BJP tells Brij Bhushan as poll temperature peaks
3 months, 2 weeks ago

Keep quiet, BJP tells Brij Bhushan as poll temperature peaks

New Indian Express  

NEW DELHI: Amid heat and dust over Haryana Assembly polls, the BJP has reportedly advised Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, former president of the Wrestling Federation of India, to refrain from making frequent statements about wrestlers that could escalate tensions ahead of the polls. Singh, who has faced accusations of sexual harassment from prominent athletes like Vinesh Phogat and Sakshi Malik, …

Haryana Election: Brij Bhushan Alleges Hooda Family 'Used Wrestlers Like Pandavas Used Draupadi'
3 months, 2 weeks ago

Haryana Election: Brij Bhushan Alleges Hooda Family 'Used Wrestlers Like Pandavas Used Draupadi'

ABP News  

Gonda, Sep 8 Former BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh on Sunday accused the Hooda family of Congress of conspiring against him by using wrestlers as wager just as Pandavas had put Draupadi at stake. Singh, a former chief of Wrestling Federation of India, was last year accused of sexual assault by several female wrestlers, who sat on a protest …

Brij Bhushan Singh compares Bhupinder Hooda and his family to Pandavas, says country won't forgive them
3 months, 2 weeks ago

Brij Bhushan Singh compares Bhupinder Hooda and his family to Pandavas, says country won't forgive them

Hindustan Times  

Former Lok Sabha MP and BJP leader Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh on Sunday compared former Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda and his family to the Pandavas. Brij Bhushan and Vinesh Phogat His statement followed the joining of wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia into the Congress. Singh alleged that their joining proves the wrestlers’ protests against him were part …

Pawan Khera slams Brij Bhushan Singh's comments on wrestlers' protest, says Congress stands with them
3 months, 2 weeks ago

Pawan Khera slams Brij Bhushan Singh's comments on wrestlers' protest, says Congress stands with them

The Hindu  

Congress leader Pawan Khera slammed the BJP on Saturday, saying that the saffron party takes a stand for those who do wrong and that the Congress raises its voice against the wrong. The statement came following claims made by former Wrestling Federation of India president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh that the wrestler's protest was politically motivated by the Congress. On …

Brij Bhushan says allegations against him were "conspiracy" after Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat joining Congress
3 months, 2 weeks ago

Brij Bhushan says allegations against him were "conspiracy" after Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat joining Congress

The Hindu  

A day after wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia joined the Congress party, former Wrestling Federation of India president and BJP leader Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh said this development proves that the entire wrestlers' movement was a "conspiracy" against him and the Congress party was behind it. Speaking to ANI on Saturday, Mr. Singh said that just when the wrestler's …

Sakshi Malik terms Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat joining Congress their personal choice, says she too got offers
3 months, 2 weeks ago

Sakshi Malik terms Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat joining Congress their personal choice, says she too got offers

The Hindu  

Ahead of the formal induction of Olympians Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat into Congress, Olympic medallist wrestler Sakshi Malik on Friday said that the choice to join the political party was solely the personal choice of the two athletes. “I also got several political offers,” Sakshi Malik said adding that she refused to take them up because she says she …

Vinesh Phogat joins Congress ahead of Haryana polls: 'Ready to fight from sadak to sansad'
3 months, 2 weeks ago

Vinesh Phogat joins Congress ahead of Haryana polls: 'Ready to fight from sadak to sansad'

India TV News  

Ahead of the Haryana Assembly elections, Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia joined the Congress party on Friday in the presence of party's general secretary KC Venugopal, Haryana Congress chief Udai Bhan and AICC in-charge of Haryana, Deepak Babaria. On joining Congress, Vinesh Phogat said, "I thank Congress party.Kehte hain na ki bure time mein pata lagta hai ki apna kaun …

Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia meet Rahul Gandhi, set to contest Haryana election as Congress candidates
3 months, 2 weeks ago

Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia meet Rahul Gandhi, set to contest Haryana election as Congress candidates

Hindustan Times  

Wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia are likely to contest the Haryana assembly elections from Julana and Badli seats, respectively as Congress candidates, party sources said. The development comes shortly after Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat met former Congress president Rahul Gandhi in New Delhi on Wednesday amid speculation that the two star grapplers could be fielded in the Haryana …

Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia Meeting Rahul Gandhi Gives Pace To Speculation On Wrestlers' Political Careers
3 months, 2 weeks ago

Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia Meeting Rahul Gandhi Gives Pace To Speculation On Wrestlers' Political Careers

ABP News  

Specualtions are rife about Olympic wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia joining the Congress party ahead of the Assembly polls in Haryana. According to ABP News sources, the Congress party is likely to field the two athletes in the upcoming assembly polls. Initially Rahul Gandhi wanted only Bajrang to fight the polls, but Vinesh also expressed her desire to make …

Vinesh Phogat gets offer from Congress to contest from any three seats for Haryana elections: Sources
3 months, 2 weeks ago

Vinesh Phogat gets offer from Congress to contest from any three seats for Haryana elections: Sources

India TV News  

Amid the ongoing Congress CEC meeting for the Haryana Assembly elections, Vinesh Phogat has been offered to contest from any of the three assembly seats of Haryana on behalf of Congress, sources told India TV. Notably, Charkhi Dadri, Badhda, and Julana are the three seats that have been offered to Vinesh Phogat to contest the Haryana Assembly polls. Vinesh Phogat …

Partap Singh Bajwa to camp in Ludhiana, take on Ravneet Singh Bittu
7 months, 2 weeks ago

Partap Singh Bajwa to camp in Ludhiana, take on Ravneet Singh Bittu

Hindustan Times  

Leader of Opposition in Punjab Partap Singh Bajwa slammed Bharatiya Janata Party candidate from Ludhiana sitting MP Ravneet Singh Bittu, and state BJP chief Sunil Jakhar for shifting their allegiance and said that this proves that, like other turncoats, they both are opportunists and hungry of power. Leader of opposition Partap Singh Bajwa in Ludhiana on Sunday Addressing a press …

‘Congress Leader Approached Me To Fight On Hand Symbol’: Brij Bhushan's Big Claim
7 months, 3 weeks ago

‘Congress Leader Approached Me To Fight On Hand Symbol’: Brij Bhushan's Big Claim

News 18  

Former Wrestling Federation of India chief and BJP MP from Uttar Pradesh’s Kaiserganj, Brij Bhushan Singh on Friday claimed he was approached by the Congress party to fight the Lok Sabha polls. Brij Bhushan Singh’s revelation comes the same day his son, Karan Bhushan Singh filed nomination from the Kaiserganj seat, earlier in the day. The BJP on Thursday announced …

Denied ticket by Cong., ex-Hisar MP Brijendra Singh holds ‘internal politics’ responsible
7 months, 3 weeks ago

Denied ticket by Cong., ex-Hisar MP Brijendra Singh holds ‘internal politics’ responsible

The Hindu  

Former Hisar Lok Sabha member Brijendra Singh, who had quit the Bharatiya Janata Party to join the Congress a month ago, on Sunday held the “State’s internal politics” responsible for denial of party ticket to him from the seat for upcoming Lok Sabha polls in Haryana. Mr. Singh, a former bureaucrat, and two-time former Cabinet Minister Kiran Choudhry’s daughter Shruti …

Ex-Union minister Birender Singh, wife Prem Lata join Congress
8 months, 2 weeks ago

Ex-Union minister Birender Singh, wife Prem Lata join Congress

Hindustan Times  

The veteran Jat leader of Haryana and former Union minister Birender Singh along with his wife Prem Lata joined the Congress on Tuesday, a day after he had announced to quit the BJP and a month later his son Brijendra Singh, who was BJP’s Hisar Lok Sabha MP, joined the grand old party. Welcoming Birender Singh and Prem Lata into …

Mayor G. Vijayalakshmi To Join Congress
9 months ago

Mayor G. Vijayalakshmi To Join Congress

Deccan Chronicle  

Hyderabad: In a major jolt to the BRS, Mayor G. Vijayalakshmi has decided to join the Congress, likely on Saturday along with 10 party corporators, despite the efforts of party working president K.T. On Friday, Congress’ TS in-charge Deepa Dasmunsi, DCC Khairatabad president Dr Rohin Reddy and government adviser Vem Narender Reddy held a 40-minute meeting with Vijayalakshmi at her …

Bajrang turned down offer to join Congress to contest Raj elections
1 year ago

Bajrang turned down offer to join Congress to contest Raj elections

Hindustan Times  

New Delhi Days after India’s top wrestlers halted their months-long sit-in protest against former Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh in July, Olympic bronze medallist Bajrang Punia was approached by the Congress to fight the assembly elections from Rajasthan. At the time, Bajrang and wrestlers Sakshi Malik and Vinesh Phogat were making an impassioned plea for action …

Bajrang Punia, Vinesh making efforts to ensure Brij Bhushan's close aide doesn't become WFI president: Report
1 year, 4 months ago

Bajrang Punia, Vinesh making efforts to ensure Brij Bhushan's close aide doesn't become WFI president: Report

India TV News  

India's ace wrestlers Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat are going all out to ensure that the outgoing WFI president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh's close aide Sanjay Singh doesn't become the next chief in the elections to be held on Saturday, August 12. Bajrang and Vinesh, who were at the forefront of the 38-day wrestlers' protest at Jantar Mantar against Brij …

Wrestlers' Protest: Vinesh, Bajrang and other key members of agitation travel to Haryana, Punjab for support
1 year, 6 months ago

Wrestlers' Protest: Vinesh, Bajrang and other key members of agitation travel to Haryana, Punjab for support

Firstpost  

While Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat have decided to travel to Jind, Haryana, Sakshi Malik was headed for Punjab with wrestler husband Satyawart Kadian to garner support for the planned women’s Mahapanchayat on Sunday, 28 May. Key members of the ongoing wrestlers’ protests against Wrestling Federation of India president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh have decided to travel to parts of …

Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh: The bahubali neta - Frontline
1 year, 10 months ago

Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh: The bahubali neta - Frontline

The Hindu  

Although the former WFI head has stepped down temporarily, the BJP will probably go easy on him now. In Uttar Pradesh, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh is known as a bahubali neta. Riding high on the politics of mandal-kamandal that raged in Uttar Pradesh in the 1990s, Singh was first elected to the Lok Sabha on a BJP ticket from Gonda …

Day After Ajay Maken's Loss in RS Polls, Congress to Take Action Against Kuldeep Bishnoi for Cross-Voting
2 years, 6 months ago

Day After Ajay Maken's Loss in RS Polls, Congress to Take Action Against Kuldeep Bishnoi for Cross-Voting

News 18  

Taking cognisance of the cross-voting by Kuldeep Bishnoi during the all-important Rajya Sabha polls in Haryana, the Congress has decided to initiate action against the Adampur MLA. Haryana Congress in-charge Vivek Bansal said, “Action will be taken against Kuldeep Bishnoi. The party high command has taken cognisance of his cross-voting.” Congress sources say Ajay Maken is likely to challenge the …

Opinion | Why Congress leader RPN Singh joined BJP?
2 years, 10 months ago

Opinion | Why Congress leader RPN Singh joined BJP?

India TV News  

The resignation of R P N Singh, a member of Rahul Gandhi’s core committee and a former minister in Dr Manmohan Singh’s cabinet, has come as a big jolt to the Congress in UP. R P N Singh was in Congress for 32 years, but on the eve of Republic Day, he decided to join the BJP, saying that he …

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