How Congress Plans To Use Vinesh Phogat’s Olympics Disqualification To Pin Down BJP Ahead Of Haryana Polls

Just ahead of the Haryana state polls bout, the disqualification of Vinesh Phogat from the Olympics race has become a flashpoint between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress, with the Haryana Congress MPs leading the attack.

In a post on X, Rajya Sabha MP Randeep Surjewala, who is from Haryana, wrote: “This is a huge conspiracy of hatred. Who was uncomfortable with her win? Who has stabbed the daughter of Haryana in the back? Who misused power?”

Similar questions were raised by Kumari Shelja and Deepender Hooda, who come from Haryana.

Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Vadra, and other Congress leaders, too, demanded justice for Phogat. Behind this strong support for Phogat is real politics and a poll strategy.

For the opposition, especially the Congress, Phogat has been the face of anti-Modi stance. Even in her win, the Congress saw vindication of their stand that the Modi government had scant regard for the wrestlers and their agitation and that the BJP was reluctant to remove Brij Bhushan.

There are multiple political ways in which the Congress wants to use the win and the disqualification of Phogat against the Modi government.

• Firstly, in relation to the upcoming Haryana polls, the Congress hopes to consolidate the Jats and women vote bank. By using the Phogat factor, it wants to prick the narrative that under the BJP government ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ and multiple schemes empowered women in a state known for being conservative.
• Second, the Gandhis stood staunchly behind Phogat and other protesting wrestlers. Priyanka sat on dharna with them. The Congress has made her one of the faces of their narrative that the modi government is anti-women and fascist. That the BJP had shielded someone who had harassed women.
• Third, the Modi government and the PM who claimed to be macho and powerful could not ensure her win. The Congress said, “The PM claims that he stopped the war in Ukraine. Why couldn’t he do it here? Why can’t he ensure Phogat’s reinstatement?”

The government has strongly defended itself with the PM taking the lead in asking the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to review the decision.

But for the Congress which is already getting ready in the akhara of politics, this is a bout it wants to win.