Vinesh Phogat slams decision to lift ban on WFI, calls it a handout to ‘goons and criminals’
Chandigarh: Olympian wrestler and Congress MLA from Haryana, Vinesh Phogat, has criticised the Centre’s decision to lift the suspension of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI). The ban was imposed following sexual harassment allegations against former WFI chief and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.
The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports had suspended the Sanjay Singh-led WFI days after its election due to its announcement of U15 and U20 nationals. The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) was directed to oversee the federation’s operations temporarily. However, the ministry lifted the suspension on Monday following an order by the Delhi High Court.
Phogat condemned the move, alleging that sports federations were being handed over to individuals with criminal backgrounds. "I want the media to raise this issue more strongly. This is completely wrong. In a country where sports are in such a terrible state, federations are being handed over to goons and criminals," she told IANS.
Phogat, along with fellow wrestlers Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik, has been at the forefront of protests against the WFI, accusing Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh of sexual harassment. She also criticised the current WFI president, Sanjay Singh, for his association with Brij Bhushan.
Phogat asserted that their fight against WFI’s leadership would continue. "These people openly declare their dominance in front of the entire nation. But we will not back down from this fight. Our struggle has always been for truth and honesty, and we will continue on this path," she said.
Meanwhile, Union Sports Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya defended the decision, stating that the ministry had lifted the ban as per the High Court’s order. "This allows our wrestlers to participate in the Asian and World Championships while ensuring justice for their future," he said.
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CM Siddaramaiah alleges ‘criminal conspiracy’ in Sringeri recount, vows legal action
Bengaluru (PTI): Alleging a “criminal conspiracy” by BJP candidate D N Jeevaraj in the Sringeri Assembly poll recounting, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said the outcome was manipulated after valid postal ballot votes in favour of Congress leader T D Raje Gowda were tampered with during the recounting process.
Following a Karnataka High Court order on an election petition filed by Jeevaraj, challenging Raje Gowda’s election, the reverification and recounting were conducted on Saturday.
After the reverification and recount of postal ballots for the Sringeri Assembly constituency, votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda were reduced by 255, the returning officer said.
A report on the matter has been submitted to the Election Commission of India for further action, the officer added.
Congress leader Raje Gowda had won the 2023 Assembly polls from Sringeri by 201 votes, defeating his nearest rival Jeevaraj.
Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru, Siddaramaiah said the High Court had directed the recounting of postal ballots and that irregularities were noticed during the exercise conducted on May 2.
“This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” Siddaramaiah said, alleging that valid votes cast in favour of Raje Gowda were altered after being accepted by counting agents of all parties, including Congress, BJP, and JD(S).
He claimed that during the recounting of postal ballots, 255 votes were initially accepted as valid by all agents but were later tampered with by subordinate officials.
“There is a second mark on the votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda. They had accepted these as valid votes. Subsequently, another mark was made by officials. This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” he said.
When asked who was behind the alleged conspiracy, the CM replied, “It was hatched by Jeevaraj and others. It is planned.”
Siddaramaiah further alleged that the returning officer acted improperly by declaring the result despite the presence of an Election Commission observer during the recounting.
“Immediately after the counting, the returning officer announced the result. He should not have done so; this is against the law,” he said.
He pointed out that Raje Gowda had originally won by 201 votes, but after the recounting, the BJP candidate was declared the winner by 52 votes.
“The BJP has committed a criminal act of conspiracy. This is not vote chori but vote dacoity,” he alleged.
The CM said a police complaint had already been filed by Raje Gowda’s election agent, Sudhir Kumar, and emphasised the need for electoral integrity.
“We want transparency and free and fair elections. That is what our Constitution mandates,” he added.
Stating that the government would pursue legal remedies, Siddaramaiah said, “We are preparing an appeal challenging the returning officer’s announcement in a court of law.”
Responding to a separate query on elections in other states, the CM said there appeared to be an anti-incumbency factor in West Bengal, while results in Tamil Nadu were “surprising,” adding that Vijay’s party was emerging as the largest there.
Following the victory of party candidates in Bagalkote and Davanagere South, Siddaramaiah expressed confidence about future electoral prospects in Karnataka.
“Even in 2028, we will win the Assembly elections. We will come back,” the CM said.
Siddaramaiah added that he would order a forensic examination into the alleged tampering of postal ballots.
