Haryana: Politics is intensifying regarding the assembly elections and sharp rhetoric is also continuing. Meanwhile, sources said on Sunday that the BJP has advised former party MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh to refrain from making statements against Olympic wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia. This advice from top BJP leaders comes a few days after the former head of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) attacked the two wrestlers for joining the Congress ahead of the Haryana assembly elections. 

Phogat and Punia joined the Congress

On September 6, Phogat and Punia, who led the wrestlers' protest against Singh last year, joined the Congress with a promise to "not be afraid or back down". After joining the party, Phogat had said that the BJP was supporting Singh while the Congress had supported the protesting wrestlers when they were being "dragged on the streets" in Delhi. Punia too echoed Phogat's words, saying the Congress stood by them during the tough time. BJP leaders alleged that the wrestlers' protest was a "conspiracy" by the Congress to target the BJP. 

Brij Bhushan Sharan took a dig at Punia and Phogat

Let us tell you that while talking to the media, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh had said that Vinesh and Bajrang earned fame in wrestling and became famous for the strength of the sport but after joining the Congress, they will be wiped out. Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia were among the wrestlers who led a sit-in against Brij Bhushan Singh last year, and accused him of harassing many young junior wrestlers.

Congress gave big responsibility to Phogat and Punia

Brij Bhushan Singh further said that if Vinesh and Bajrang are thinking that they will win the assembly elections then they are wrong. "They can contest from any assembly seat in Haryana, a small BJP candidate will defeat them," he was quoted as saying by news agency PTI. Notably, a day later, Vinesh was fielded by the Congress from Haryana's Juliana assembly constituency. Meanwhile, Bajrang Punia was appointed the head of the All India Kisan Congress and will participate in the election campaign.