September 7, 2024: Former BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh has claimed that Vinesh Phogat joining the Congress party and her subsequent nomination to contest the Haryana Assembly elections serve as proof that the sexual harassment charges and the wrestlers' protest were part of a plot orchestrated by the party.

The former Wrestling Federation of India chief has also alleged that Ms Phogat Violated rules by trying out for two different weight categories for the Olympics on the same day and hinted that her disqualification ahead of the final bout was a ‘result given by god’.

Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia, who were at the forefront of the wrestlers’ protests against Mr Singh last year, joined the Congress on Friday and, hours later, Ms Phogat was announced as a candidate from the Julana Assembly constituency while Mr Punia has been appointed working president of the All India Kisan Congress.