In a surprising turn of events, Vinesh Phogat, India's top wrestler, has announced her entry into the world of politics by joining the country's main opposition Congress party. This decision comes just weeks after Phogat's retirement from wrestling following a heartbreak at the Paris Olympics, where she was disqualified for failing the weigh-in before her final match.

The Congress party officially revealed Phogat's entry into politics on Friday, coinciding with the upcoming assembly elections in Haryana, her home state. Speaking at a press conference, Phogat expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to serve the people of her country. She emphasized her desire to assist and empower women, a cause she is passionate about, using the same dedication and hard work she displayed in her wrestling career.

Another prominent wrestler and Olympian, Bajrang Punia, was also inducted into the Congress party alongside Phogat. Speculations regarding their political involvement began after the wrestlers had a meeting with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in Delhi earlier this week. Political analysts believe that their popularity, particularly among the majority farming community in Haryana, could work in favor of the Congress party during the upcoming elections.

The assembly elections in Haryana are scheduled to be held on October 5, with the vote count taking place three days later. It is worth mentioning that Phogat had previously supported the ongoing farmers' protests, further strengthening her bond with the local population.

In a separate development, Phogat announced her resignation from her position as an Officer on Special Duty (OSD) with the Indian Railways. This post was offered to her as recognition of her remarkable achievements in wrestling. Sharing her resignation letter on social media, she cited personal reasons for her decision.

Phogat's journey as a wrestler has been marred by controversies and challenges. Last year, she played a pivotal role in the wrestlers' protests against Brij Bhushan Singh, former federation chief who faced accusations of sexually harassing female athletes. The intense situation even led to Phogat and other wrestlers being detained during a demonstration, causing global outrage.

Phogat recently captured the hearts of millions with her outstanding performance at the Paris Olympics, defeating reigning world champion Yui Susaki of Japan along the way. However, she faced disappointment as she was disqualified from her final match for weighing slightly above the permissible limit. This setback not only shattered her own dreams but also dashed India's hopes of clinching an Olympic gold in wrestling, a feat yet to be accomplished by any female athlete from the nation.

Despite challenging her disqualification in the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS), Phogat's plea was eventually dismissed. With her wrestling career coming to an end, Phogat has now shifted her focus towards making a difference in the political arena, aiming to serve the people of her country in a new capacity.

As the assembly elections draw near, all eyes are on Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia as they embark on this new chapter in their lives, intertwining wrestling and politics in a bid to make meaningful contributions to society.