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The political landscape in India is often characterized by strategic maneuvering and shifting alliances, with the upcoming Haryana assembly elections providing a prime example. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), currently in power, finds itself navigating a delicate situation involving the former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. Singh, a prominent BJP figure, has been accused of sexual harassment by several top athletes, including Vinesh Phogat and Sakshi Malik. These allegations have cast a shadow over the BJP, leading to the party taking steps to mitigate the potential political fallout.
In response to the growing controversy, the BJP has reportedly issued a gag order to Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, instructing him to refrain from making any further comments that could further antagonize the wrestlers. This move suggests the party is acutely aware of the potential for the wrestlers' protest, which had garnered significant public support in Haryana, to become a major issue in the upcoming elections. The state of Haryana is known for producing numerous athletes, and the support of these individuals can significantly influence the political landscape.
Further complicating the situation is the recent decision by two prominent wrestlers, Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia, to join the Congress party. This move is seen as a strategic maneuver by the Congress to capitalize on the dissatisfaction with the BJP's handling of the sexual harassment allegations against Brij Bhushan. Phogat and Punia, both highly recognizable figures in the wrestling community, are expected to bring significant support to the Congress in Haryana. Their decision to join the opposing party is a clear indication of their disillusionment with the BJP and its response to the allegations.
Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, however, has dismissed the allegations against him as a politically motivated conspiracy orchestrated by the Congress. He claims that the wrestlers were used as pawns by the Congress party, particularly by former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Hooda, in an attempt to gain control of the Wrestling Federation of India and undermine the BJP's ideology. Singh's accusations highlight the deeply entrenched political rivalry between the BJP and the Congress and how these dynamics can play out in unexpected ways.
The BJP's decision to caution Brij Bhushan and the Congress's recruitment of prominent wrestlers demonstrate the significant political weight carried by the sports community in India. The allegations of sexual harassment, coupled with the ongoing political maneuvers, have transformed the wrestlers' protest into a key factor in the upcoming Haryana elections. The outcome of these elections could significantly impact the future of the BJP and its ability to maintain its stronghold in Haryana.
Source: BJP's Gag Order On Brij Bhushan As Wrestlers Join Congress Ahead Of Haryana Polls: Sources