NEW DELHI: Wrestler-turned-politician Vinesh Phogat on Wednesday said that the 'hand' symbol of Congress would deliver a slap to the BJP government on October 5, the polling day for Haryana assembly elections.
Using the Congress party's symbol as a metaphor, Phogat said, "You know my party symbol; don't press the wrong one. This time Congress' symbol of hand will act as a slap. On October 5, this slap will strike in Delhi,"
Phogat criticised the BJP government for failing to respect the people of Haryana, questioning the need for such a government. She referenced issues like unemployment and a perceived lack of dignity for the people, which she claimed have persisted for the last decade.
"We have to take revenge for unemployment and your insult that has prevailed for the past 10 years. We are willing to put our lives on the line to protect our respect. But, the BJP government has not respected it. If our respect is taken away, then what shall we do with such a government," she added.
Phogat was one of the prominent figures in last year's protest against former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief and BJP leader Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, following allegations of sexual harassment by several women wrestlers.
She joined the Congress party on September 6, alongside fellow wrestler Bajrang Punia. Phogat has since filed her nomination from the Julana Assembly constituency and will face BJP candidate Captain Yogesh Bairagi in the Haryana Assembly elections.
This came after Phogat's heartbreaking disqualification from the women's 50kg final at the Paris Olympics.
The Haryana polls are scheduled for October 5, with the counting of votes on October 8. In the 2019 assembly polls, the BJP won 40 seats, while Congress secured 30 seats.
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