In a big move, the Olympian wrestler Bajrang Punia was on Friday made the Working Chairman of the All India Kisan Congress.
"Hon'ble Congress President has approved the proposal of the appointment of Shri Bajrang Punia as the Working Chairman of All India Kisan Congress with immediate effect," read the official letter issued by Congress General Secretary K.C. Venugopal.
Thanking Congress President Kharge, Rahul Gandhi and K.C. I am also grateful to our President Mr. @kharge, Leader of the Opposition @RahulGandhi and @kcvenugopalmp for assigning the new role to me," the Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist said in a post on X. "I will try my level best to stand shoulder to shoulder with farmers in crises, support their struggles, and work as an active soldier of the organisation. Jai Kisan.
The appointment came after Punia and fellow wrestler Vinesh Phogat joined the Congress on Friday afternoon, and is being seen as an important move ahead of the Haryana Assembly elections to be held on October 5.
The grappler duo met Congress President Kharge at his residence on Friday afternoon before it went ahead and joined the party in Delhi.
"Chak de India, Chak de Haryana! Met our talented champions Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia, who have made India proud in the world, at 10 Rajaji Marg. We are proud of both of you," Kharge posted on X after the meeting.
Both Olympians were aghast showpieces of last year's stir against the alleged rape and harassment of female wrestlers on the part of ex-Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and met Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Wednesday.
Speaking at the party office after formally joining the Congress, Phogat said it is only when times are bad that people come to know who is really standing with them.
Punia said Congress extended solidarity with the wrestlers in their protest without even being asked to do so, while the BJP MPs ignored the letters seeking their support.
