Mahavir Singh Phogat on Vinesh Phogat contesting elections

Charkhi Dadri (Haryana): Dronacharya awardee and wrestling coach Mahavir Singh Phogat expressed his disappointment over Olympian wrestler and Congress candidate from Julana, Vinesh Phogat, joining politics. He mentioned that she could have postponed her political ambitions until after the 2028 Olympics.

Missed Olympic Gold

Mahavir Singh Phogat reflected on Vinesh Phogat's performance in the Paris Olympics, where she performed well but was disqualified in the final. He shared his belief that she should have focused on the 2028 Olympics. "A gold medal is my dream; she did not get it, but the people of India gave her immense love and had expected a Gold from her. People were disheartened... The decision that she has taken, I am saddened by it that she had joined politics," Phogat told ANI.

Unexpected Political Move

The wrestling coach also revealed that Vinesh Phogat had no plans to enter politics or contest elections. "There was no such planning (of joining politics and contesting elections) earlier. Neither Bajrang, nor she had this idea. I don't know how Congress did it but she had no intentions earlier to contest elections," he added.

Vinesh Phogat Confident of Victory

On September 7, after joining the Congress, Vinesh Phogat expressed her confidence in winning the Julana seat in the upcoming Haryana Assembly Elections. She emphasized that being a winner in the eyes of the people is the greatest achievement. "It feels good, people are very excited, the responsibility we have been given, the Congress party has sent us here as candidates, so people are giving us love and supporting us. Our people will make me win, and I am a winner in their eyes, so nothing can be bigger than this," she told reporters.

Retirement from Wrestling

Vinesh Phogat announced her retirement from wrestling shortly after being disqualified from the Paris Olympic Games due to being overweight by about 100 grams in her 50-kg category weigh-in.

Haryana Assembly Elections

The voting for the 90-member legislative assembly in Haryana will be held on October 5, with the last date for filing nominations on September 12. The counting of votes is scheduled for October 8. In the 2019 assembly polls, BJP emerged as the single-largest party with 40 seats, while Congress secured 30 seats.

(Wih  ANI inputs)