The resignations had been despatched on Friday afternoon.
New Delhi:
Wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia give up their posts within the Northern Railways hours earlier than becoming a member of the Congress on Friday, however sources within the railways have instructed NDTV that the resignations haven’t been accepted but. Whereas the sources didn’t say that the resignations wouldn’t be accepted, they added that Ms Phogat and Mr Punia can not be a part of any celebration or contest elections till that’s carried out.
Forward of formally becoming a member of the Congress, Ms Phogat resigned as an officer on particular obligation (OSD) sports activities with the Northern Railways, citing private causes.
Posting a photograph of her resignation letter, the wrestler wrote on X: “Serving Indian Railways has been a memorable and proud time of my life. At this level in my life, I’ve determined to separate myself from my service within the railways and have submitted my resignation to the competent authorities of the Indian Railways. I’ll all the time be grateful to the Indian Railway household for this chance given to me by the Railways within the service of the nation.”
The sources mentioned Mr Punia additionally resigned from the identical publish across the similar time.
“Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia have taken membership of the Congress celebration with out the railways approving their resignations. As per service guidelines, till the resignations are permitted by the Railways, they can not contest elections and can’t be a part of any celebration,” mentioned a supply.
The sources additionally contested Congress Common Secretary KC Venugopal’s declare made in the course of the press convention asserting the wrestlers’ becoming a member of that Ms Phogat had obtained a show-cause discover from the Railways after submitting her resignation.
“What was the rationale? Yesterday, the media printed her picture with Rahul Gandhi. Is it a criminal offense to face with the chief of opposition on this nation? They hadn’t instructed anyone. The Railways is operating behind rumours. They’re saying that there’s information that ‘you (Ms Phogat) are going to contest the (Haryana) elections and you can’t do this. Give a proof’… Bajrang additionally bought it (a discover),” Mr Venugopal mentioned.
“The railway authorities shouldn’t play politics on all these points. They (Ms Phogat and Mr Punia) have already resigned, do the formalities and relieve them,” he added.
The railway sources, nevertheless, mentioned that the notices weren’t issued on Friday, however on Wednesday, and spoke concerning the wrestlers being concerned in political actions, which isn’t allowed as per service guidelines.
“They had been requested to answer and, after that, each of them submitted their resignation at present (on Friday),” mentioned a supply.
‘Grateful For Help’
Becoming a member of the Congress, Ms Phogat, who, together with Mr Punia and others, had led final yr’s protests towards the alleged sexual assault and intimidation by former Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, had mentioned she was proud to be related to a celebration that “stands up towards misbehaviour and injustice towards girls”.
“I wish to thank the folks of the nation for supporting me throughout my wrestling profession and I hope I dwell as much as their expectations. I wish to thank the Congress as a result of, as they are saying, it is just when occasions are dangerous that one finds out who’s standing with them. After we had been dragged on the roads, each celebration aside from the BJP stood with us and understood our ache and our tears,” she mentioned in Hindi.
The wrestlers’ transfer comes forward of the Meeting elections in Haryana and sources have mentioned that at the least certainly one of them will contest the polls, which will likely be held on October 5.