The Punjab and Haryana High Court has suspended the upcoming Wrestling Federation of India elections. The polls, which were originally scheduled for Saturday, would feature a two-pronged contest between Brij Bhushan-loyalist Sanjay Singh and gold medallists from the 2010 Commonwealth Games. Indian grapplers who protested against the WFI chief had also met with Sports Minister Anurag Thakur before the polling began.
The Haryana Wrestling Association and Hariana Amateur Wringling Affair are two organizations that have declared their right to vote in the WFI elections held tomorrow, as stated by advocate Ravinder Malik to ANI.
The lawyer stated that the WFI and state Olympic Association affiliation was a prerequisite for individuals to participate in the polls. The High Court decided to suspend the organization’s polling as the Haryana Wrestling Association claimed that it was affiliated and therefore allowed to vote.
The returning officer stated that the Haryana Amateur Wrestling Association had the right to vote. We challenged the ruling in the High Court and HC has postponed the WFI elections until August 18th, after hearing from both parties.
The top grapplers Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat, and Sakshi Malik have expressed their dissatisfaction with Singh’s selection for the top position. Brij Bhushan, his son Karan, as well as Vishal Singh, are not competing for any of these positions after the Sports Minister assured wrestlers that they will not be part of the new WFI governing body.
The wrestlers’ statement conveyed that Brij Bhushan’s close aides were not allowed to contest the WFI elections, as it was suggested by their demands.
(With the assistance of agencies)