In a pointed critique of the Congress party, Haryana Assembly Speaker and BJP candidate Gian Chand Gupta has accused the opposition party of politicizing athletes for their own advantage. Gupta’s remarks follow the recent entry of wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia into the Congress party.
Gupta, who is the BJP candidate for the Panchkula Vidhan Sabha seat, alleged that the Congress has misused athletes for political purposes. “The way Bhupinder Singh Hooda sponsored Vinesh Phogat’s protest at Jantar Mantar, she was given special treatment…in sports, such things must not happen,” Gupta said in a statement.
He further criticized the Congress, stating, “Congress has been fully exposed since they fielded Vinesh Phogat. They can even play politics with athletes. They can use athletes for political advantage, and they did it.” Gupta’s comments reflect growing tensions between the BJP and Congress over the involvement of sports personalities in politics.
Phogat, a celebrated wrestler, and Punia recently joined the Congress, a move that has stirred political ripples. Their induction has been viewed by some as a strategic play by the Congress to harness the popularity and influence of these athletes to boost their political standing.
The protest led by Phogat and other wrestlers against former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh had gained significant media attention. The protest, which centered around allegations of sexual harassment, had seen extensive support from various quarters, including the Congress.
Gupta’s comments highlight a broader debate on the intersection of sports and politics, raising questions about the role of athletes in political movements and whether their participation is being exploited for electoral gains.
As the political landscape heats up with the inclusion of prominent athletes into party politics, the situation continues to evolve, with both parties keen to leverage every advantage in the upcoming elections.
