Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia’s Resignations Not Accepted Yet: Railway Sources

New Delhi: 

Wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia quit their posts in the Northern Railways hours before joining the Congress on Friday, but sources in the railways have told NDTV that the resignations have not been accepted yet. While the sources did not say that the resignations would not be accepted, they added that Ms Phogat and Mr Punia cannot join any party or contest elections until that is done. 

Ahead of formally joining the Congress, Ms Phogat resigned as an officer on special duty (OSD) sports with the Northern Railways, citing personal reasons. 

Posting a photo of her resignation letter, the wrestler wrote on X: “Serving Indian Railways has been a memorable and proud time of my life. At this point in my life, I have decided to separate myself from my service in the railways and have submitted my resignation to the competent authorities of the Indian Railways. I will always be grateful to the Indian Railway family for this opportunity given to me by the Railways in the service of the nation.”

The sources said Mr Punia also resigned from the same post around the same time.

“Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia have taken membership of the Congress party without the railways approving their resignations. As per service rules, until the resignations are approved by the Railways, they cannot contest elections and cannot join any party,” said a source. 

The sources also contested Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal’s claim made during the press conference announcing the wrestlers’ joining that Ms Phogat had received a show-cause notice from the Railways after submitting her resignation.