Congress MP Rahul Gandhi met with wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia before heading to Kashmir this morning, fuelling speculation about their possible entry into the Congress party. The meeting comes as the Congress' Central Election Committee (CEC) convened on Monday to finalise its list of candidates for the upcoming Haryana Assembly elections.

During the meeting, the CEC selected 34 candidates for the Haryana polls, according to the All India Congress Committee (AICC) in-charge for Haryana, Deepak Babaria. He mentioned that the final list of candidates would be released by August 4.

Babaria also addressed the ongoing speculation regarding Vinesh Phogat's political future, stating that the matter would be clarified by Wednesday. The buzz around her potential candidacy has added to the anticipation as Haryana gears up for its assembly elections.

Vinesh Phogat's rumoured foray into Haryana politics is a major point of intrigue. If she decides to enter politics, it is expected to fuel the controversy around former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, accused of sexually harassing several women wrestlers. Several wrestlers, including Vinesh Phogat, had participated in the protest against Singh.

Just four days ago, Olympian Vinesh Phogat joined the farmers' protest at the Shambhu border and showed them her unwavering support. Phogat was honoured with garlands by the farmers.

The Haryana Assembly polls, slated to be held on October 5, are gearing up to be a heated affair with multiple factors at play. Anti-incumbency sentiments, farmers' protests, wrestlers' protests, government employees' discontent and the dynamics of the Jat community are expected to play pivotal roles in the crucial elections.

Source: India Today