Wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia called on the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday, amidst speculations that Vinesh may contest the Haryana Assembly polls on a Congress ticket.
Their meeting comes a day after the Congress's Central Election Committee convened to finalise the list of candidates for October 5 elections.
It learns that Congress might offer either the Charkhi Dadri or Julana seat to Vinesh Phogat. Sources said the CEC has shortlisted 59 candidates, comprising 27 of the party's 28 sitting legislators amidst the talks that the Congress had a pre-poll alliance with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).
Commenting on the continued speculations over the political future of Phogat, AICC incharge for Haryana Deepak Babaria said the final list of candidates would be declared by September 4. But he made it clear that there was no discussion on either Vinesh or Bajrang's candidature at the meeting.
Sources quoting sources said while AAP is demanding at least 10 seats, Congress is offering only seven. However, the ruling BJP in the state launched a scathing attack on the potential alliance between Congress and AAP saying "it is the weaker organisation that feels the need to make compromises."
Ever since Vinesh Phogat, 29, who missed out on an Olympic medal in Paris as she was disqualified for being overweight hours before her final bout in the 50 kg category, came back to India, Congress leaders have been calling on her. Rohtak MP Deepender Hooda was the first politician to reach IGI Airport in Delhi to welcome her.
Vinesh Phogat, on August 23 met Deepender Hooda and his father, two-time Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda at the residence of the Congress leaders in Delhi along with her wrestler husband Somvir Rathee.
Vinesh Phogat had also joined the protesting farmers at the Shambhu protest site on Punjab and Haryana border on August 31. When asked about contesting Haryana elections, she said : " Main rajneeti ke baare main baat nahi karoonghi. Main apne parivaar se milne aai hoon."
With as many as 2,556 leaders showing their interest for tickets to the polls, Congress is seriously finalising the names, sources said. Elections in Haryana are due on October 5 in a single phase, while counting of votes will be taken up on October 8.
