Two leading Olympian wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia on Friday tendered their resignation as railway employees given joining the Congress. Earlier, both wrestlers staged a dharna along with another Olympic medallist Sakshi Malik.
The announcements were made today as Vinesh and Bajrang are scheduled to meet Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge in Delhi. The two will formally join the party at its headquarters later in the day.
Vinesh Phogat confirmed the news of her resignation via her official X account. She cited, “At this juncture in my life, I have decided to relieve myself from the railway service and have forwarded my resignation to the competent authorities of Indian Railways. I will always be thankful to the Indian Railways family for allowing me to serve the nation.”
Similarly, Bajrang Punia sent his resignation letter on Friday. The wrestler thanked Northern Railways for guiding him throughout his career. “I joined this prestigious service on 13th September 2014. I am thankful to the Northern Railways as a guiding agency in my professional career & express my heartfelt gratitude to all who have worked with me during my employment,” Bajrang wrote.
He added, “I would like to resign from my post of OSD Sports, Northern Railways, and request you to relieve me. This is also due to personal reasons and due to certain circumstances at home. I have already apprised you verbally in this regard.”
Reports indicate that Bajrang Punia will not run in the upcoming Assembly elections. Instead, the plan is for him to become the co-chairman of the Haryana Congress campaign committee for the Haryana Assembly polls. Vinesh Phogat will run in the elections. Her specific seat will be announced later today.
In a significant setback at the Paris Olympics, Vinesh Phogat was disqualified from the 50 kg gold medal bout for being 100 grams over the weight limit. Her appeal for a joint silver medal was also denied by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). Following this disappointment, Vinesh announced her retirement from wrestling on August 8.
As Vinesh Phogat steps away from wrestling and Bajrang Punia prepares to enter politics. Both athletes are transitioning from their sports careers to active political roles.
ANI