Sat Sep 07 10:48:53 UTC 2024: ## Former WFI Chief Accuses Congress of Using Wrestlers in Plot Against BJP

**New Delhi:** Former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh on Saturday accused the Congress party of using Olympic wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia as pawns in a conspiracy to seize control of the WFI and attack the BJP.

Singh, a senior BJP leader, alleged that the plot was orchestrated by former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, who was defeated by Singh in the 2012 WFI elections. “They (Punia and Phogat) were faces… they were mohrey (pawns). They were used like pawns by (former Haryana chief minister) Bhupinder Hooda, the Congress and the Congress family,” Singh told PTI Videos.

He claimed that the entire protest against him, which led to his resignation and criminal charges, was a calculated move to weaken the BJP. “This was all conspired to gain a hold on the Wrestling Federation of India and to attack the BJP and its ideology… This team of Rahul, the Congress keeps doing these things,” Singh stated.

The accusations come a day after Phogat and Punia joined the Congress party, vowing to continue their fight against Singh. Phogat, who recently competed in the Olympics, will contest the upcoming Haryana assembly elections from the Julana constituency. Punia, on the other hand, has been appointed working chairman of the All India Kisan Congress.

Singh dismissed Phogat’s allegations of sexual harassment, claiming that the alleged incident occurred while he was in Lucknow. He asserted that the truth will eventually come out.

While Phogat and Punia have taken the political route, another Olympic bronze-winner, Sakshi Malik, has chosen to remain outside the political fray and continue the fight against Singh.

The accusations and counter-accusations highlight the deep political undercurrents surrounding the recent controversy within the WFI. The case, which involves serious allegations of sexual harassment and misconduct, has now become a focal point in the political battle between the BJP and the Congress.

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