New Delhi: Olympian wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia officially joined the Indian National Congress on Friday ahead of the upcoming Haryana assembly elections. The move came just hours after Vinesh Phogat resigned from the Indian Railways, citing personal reasons.

Both wrestlers met with Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and other senior leaders at the AICC headquarters in New Delhi. Their decision to join the party followed earlier meetings with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on September 4.

After joining Congress, Vinesh Phogat expressed her pride in joining a party committed to fighting for women’s rights. She highlighted the party’s support during the wrestlers' protest against mistreatment, stating that Congress is ready to fight from the streets to Parliament.

Bajrang Punia echoed her sentiments, vowing to work hard to strengthen the Congress and the nation. He criticized the BJP, accusing the party of protecting those responsible for atrocities against women.