- Monday, September 16, 2024
Punia and Phogat were part of the protest over sexual harassment allegations against former BJP MP and then Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh
By: Shajil Kumar
WRESTLER Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat met former Congress president Rahul Gandhi here on Wednesday amid speculation that the two star grapplers could be fielded in the Haryana Assembly polls by the party.
The Congress has remained tightlipped about whether Punia and Phogat could be field with AICC general secretary in-charge Haryana Deepak Babaria saying on Tuesday that there will be clarity on it by Thursday.
The Congress put out a photograph of Gandhi with Phogat and Punia on its official X handle.
Punia and Phogat were part of the protest over sexual harassment allegations against former BJP MP and then Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh in 2023.
Congress’ central election committee has cleared the names of candidates for 66 seats out of 90 till Tuesday.
Though names have not been declared but the Congress’ candidates list is set to be out in a day or two.
Voting on 90 assembly seats in Haryana will be held on October 5 and counting of votes will be undertaken on October 8.
Talks with AAP
The Congress on Wednesday said an alliance with the AAP for the Haryana Assembly polls is only possible when there is a “win-win” situation for both parties.
AAP MP Raghav Chadha held talks with the Congress party in-charge of the state Deepak Babaria to explore possibilities of finding a common ground.
“We are exploring possibilities for an understanding. I believe that things cannot proceed unless it is a win-win situation for both parties. So we are looking for a meeting point,” Babaria told reporters.
Asked how many seats the Congress could give the AAP as part of a deal, he said it would be a “small number” in “single digits”.
Babaria also said the CPI(M) and the Samajwadi Party have also put forward a proposal and are expecting to work with the Congress in an alliance.
AAP leader Manish Sisodia said his party will do “anything” to defeat the BJP and even align with the Congress for the Haryana Assembly polls.
The former deputy chief minister of Delhi, who was campaigning in Haryana, said the alliance with the Congress will be finalised after AAP national convener and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is released from prison. (PTI)
