Vinesh Phogat performed well at the Paris Olympics 2024 and confirmed a medal reaching the final of the 50 Kg freestyle wrestling category. But her dream run was short-lived as she was disqualified from the bout following ‘100-150 Gram overweight’ saga. Fans in India were shocked and supported the star athlete who was their ‘Hero’ in the multisport event. After her appeal for a joint silver medal was rejected by CAS (Court of Arbitration for Sport) many supporters backed Phogat and sympathised with her for the injustice. She returned ‘home’ and was given a grand welcome – might be even more than actual medal winners from the country. She deserved all the support and welcome for her performance and later saga. Vinesh Phogat Shares Lite Moments With Brother Harvinder Phogat While Celebrating Raksha Bandhan at Balali Village After Paris Olympics 2024 Heartbreak (Watch Video).

But then there comes the ‘speculation game’. One of the prominent faces in the gathered well-wishers was Rohtak MP Deepender Hooda. The Congress leader and his party stole the show by holding a massive road show for the wrestler in the presence of Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik, and several other wrestlers in the national capital – a place that was previously in the limelight for the ‘Wrestlers’ protest against WFI’.

Celebrity figure combined with people’s sympathy due to ‘injustice at the international level’ and the upcoming elections in her territory – is a perfect mixture for sure victory. The polling for the Rajya Sabha seat from Haryana vacated by Deepender Hooda after his election to the Lok Sabha will be held on September 3. Haryana Leader of Opposition Bhupinder Singh Hooda had already made his plans clear when he announced that the Congress would nominate Vinesh Phogat to Rajya Sabha if it had adequate numbers.

Is Vinesh Phogat Contesting in the Haryana Assembly Election?

Deepender Hooda sat alongside Vinesh Phogat as she was receiving fans’ blessings. BJP is also not left behind as Haryana BJP Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini briefed media persons that Vinesh Phogat shall be treated like an Olympic silver medalist irrespective of the CAS ruling. Massive support from top opposition leaders in the region and fans could tempt Vinesh Phogat to contest in elections and fans are already speculating the same. Indian Wrestler Vinesh Phogat Holds Roadshow in Delhi Along With Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik.

Fans on social media “Deepender Hooda went to the airport to welcome Vinesh Phogat in Politics!!” even some fans claimed that it was all pre-planned. Some fans say “Haryana Assembly Ticket Loading for Vinesh Phogat.” After watching her coming out of the airport with politicians. There is ‘a lot of smoke’ around the possibility of Vinesh Phogat joining politics and contesting from Haryana, but as of today Vinesh Phogat’s uncle Mahavir Phogat had termed Bhupinder Hooda’s ‘wish’ to send Vinesh Phogat to Rajya Sabha as a “political stunt”. Even though the star wrestler has announced retirement from the sport, joining politics right after the 'Paris Olympics' would be a bold move. We will have to wait for confirmation from either Vinesh or any other political party in the discussion.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 19, 2024 04:51 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).