(Photo : Instagram)

• Former wrestler Vinesh Phogat has resigned from Northern Railways, hinting at a shift to politics.
• Following her disqualification from the Paris Olympics, Phogat announced her retirement from wrestling.
• She is expected to join the Indian National Congress and contest the upcoming Haryana Assembly elections.
• Phogat's potential political debut has stirred speculation and anticipation, marking a significant shift in her career.

In a significant development that has sent ripples through the Indian sports and political landscape, former wrestler Vinesh Phogat has tendered her resignation from Northern Railways. Phogat, who held the position of Officer on Special Duty (OSD) Sports in level 7, announced her decision on September 6, 2024.

In her resignation letter, Phogat expressed her gratitude towards the Indian Railways for the opportunity to serve the nation. She wrote, Serving Indian Railways has been a memorable and proud time of my life. At this point in my life, I have decided to separate myself from the railway service and have submitted my resignation to the competent authorities of the Indian Railways.

Phogat's resignation comes on the heels of her disqualification from the Paris Olympics, where she was barred from competing in the women's freestyle 50kg category gold medal match for being overweight by 100 grams. The disqualification was a major setback for the ace wrestler, who had been a strong contender for the gold medal.

A New Chapter in Phogat's Life

Following the disqualification, Phogat announced her decision to retire from wrestling, citing personal reasons. However, Phogat's resignation from the railways and her retirement from wrestling are not the end of her public life. In fact, they mark the beginning of a new chapter.

Phogat is expected to join the Indian National Congress and is likely to contest the upcoming Haryana Assembly elections. This move is seen as a significant development in the political landscape of Haryana, a state where sports personalities hold considerable influence.

Phogat's decision to join politics was hinted at when she, along with fellow wrestler Bajrang Punia, met with Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha and a prominent Congress leader. The meeting took place a day after the Congress' Central Election Committee (CEC) convened to finalize the list of candidates for the October 5 elections.

The Impact of Phogat's Decision

It is learnt that the Congress may offer either the Charkhi Dadri or Julana seat to Phogat. Phogat's potential entry into politics has been met with a flurry of speculation and anticipation. Her celebrity status as a former wrestler and her public support for farmers' issues are seen as factors that could influence voters. Moreover, her criticism of the government's handling of certain matters has also been noted.

Phogat's decision to join politics follows a trend of sports personalities entering the political arena. Her cousin, Babita Phogat, is a BJP MLA, and there has been intense speculation about Vinesh's political ambitions since her return from the Paris Olympics.

Phogat's potential political debut is not without controversy. Her meeting with Rahul Gandhi and her resignation from her railway job have been seen as indications of her imminent political entry. As the wrestlers prepare to make their political debut, all eyes will be on the impact they have on the political landscape, particularly in Haryana.