New Delhi

Former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Brij Bhushan Saran Singh has claimed that it was his name that helped wrestler Vinesh Phogat win the Julana seat in the Haryana Assembly election. 

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Phogat, contesting the election on a Congress ticket, emerged victorious by 6,105 votes, beating BJP's Yogesh Kumar. 

"If she wins by using my name, it means I am a great man. At least my name has enough power to help her sail through," Singh was quoted as saying by news wire agency PTI. 

"Wherever (Vinesh) Phogat goes, destruction follows her, and it will happen in the future too. She may have won the election by herself but Congress is completely doomed," he added. 

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The former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief was referring to Congress being unable to remove BJP from power in the state. Despite exit polls predicting a Congress sweep, the BJP managed to win 48 seats and secure a third consecutive term.  

Meanwhile, Phogat emphasised that her victory vindicated her struggle for truth. 

"This is the fight of every girl, every woman who chooses the path to fight. This is the victory of every struggle, truth. I will maintain the love and trust that this country has given me," the Congress politician said.

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BJP not only won the majority on its own but it also managed to better its seats tally from the last two elections. In 2019, BJP only won 40 seats and formed a coalition government with the JJP. Meanwhile, in 2014, during the peak of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's popularity, the BJP managed to secure 47 seats. 

Watch | Exit Polls: Did Exit Polls Fail To Predict Haryana Results?

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Wrestlers' protest 

Phogat, alongside Bajrang Punia was at the forefront of the wrestlers' protest against Singh last year. Six wrestlers had levelled sexual harassment allegations against Singh. 

While Singh refuted the allegations, the wrestlers demanded his resignation and dissolution of the federation. Phogat was even booked for rioting and obstructing public servant in the discharge of duty when the wrestlers attempted to march towards the new Indian Parliament. 

After Phogat and Punia joined the Congress and she got a ticket, Singh and other BJP leaders accused her of staging the protest before general elections at the behest of the grand old party.

Also read | 'Should be tried for sedition': Vinesh Phogat on those celebrating her Olympic medal loss

A Delhi court in July granted interim bail to Singh but the Wrestling world governing body suspended WFI for not conducting the elections on time, a month later. 

(With inputs from agencies)