Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia with Rahul Gandhi. file
– Photo : Amar Ujala
Expansion
The uncertainty over wrestler Vinesh Phogat contesting the Haryana assembly elections has ended after the railways accepted her resignation late last night. The railways have formally accepted the resignation of Vinesh and wrestler Bajrang Punia. Phogat was required to obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the railways to contest the elections.
Actually, according to the railway rules, a notice has to be given three months in advance to leave the job. It was believed that if the railway did not give NOC by the last date of nomination process i.e. 12th September, then Vinesh would not be able to contest the elections. Vinesh has been made the candidate by Congress from Julana assembly. Bajrang has been appointed as the working president of the National Farmers Congress.
Vinesh and Poonia were officers in the sports department of the railways. The biggest challenge for both of them was to get their resignations accepted. After a lot of commotion on Saturday, all speculations have come to an end after the railways accepted their resignations late at night. It is believed that after getting relief, Vinesh can file her nomination soon.
Resigned on show cause notice
Railway Board sources say that Vinesh and Bajrang were issued show cause notices for being involved in political activities. After this, on September 6, both the wrestlers resigned from their posts in the Railways and joined the Congress party.
Doing political activity citing personal reasons
Railway officials had earlier said that prima facie it was found that both the wrestlers have cited personal reasons for their resignation, while their political activities have come to light. According to sources, the Railways was also not willing to give a no-objection certificate. However, after the resignation was accepted, the way has been cleared for Vinesh to contest the Haryana Assembly elections.
- On the other hand, amid the turmoil in the Congress, half a dozen leaders have shown rebellious attitude. Kapoor Singh Narwal, a close aide of former CM Bhupendra Singh Hooda, has resigned.
