Uproar over Vinesh Phogat's disqualification from the Paris Olympics 2024 hours before the gold medal match is yet to be over. While Vinesh Phogat awaits the decision of CAS to announce her as the joint silver medalist, the opposition in India is demanding a Rajya Sabha MP seat for her. Veteran Congress leader Bhupinder Hooda while talking to the media sought Vinesh Phogat's nomination for Rajya Sabha seat. The former CM said if Congress had the numbers in the Haryana Assembly, he would have nominated Phogat to the Rajya Sabha. Thereafter, Deepender Hooda on his X wrote, "I fully support Hooda Sahab's statement of sending champion sister Vinesh Phogat to the Rajya Sabha. All the political parties of Haryana are also requested to come to a consensus on this issue and consider it seriously." TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee also made a similar demand that Vinesh Phogat should be awarded with the MP post in Rajya Sabha.
In response, BJP leader & former wrestler Babita Phogat took to her X handle and wrote, "Someone should learn from Congress how to find political opportunities in a disaster!! On one hand, the country and Vinesh are not able to recover from the shock of being disqualified from the Olympics and on the other hand, Deepender ji, you, and your father have started doing politics over Vinesh's defeat. Vinesh is the champion of champions and the Congress party is the champion of politics who is not even affected by the pain of the players. This is very shameful and worrying!!"
Now, the question arises is Vinesh Phogat eligible to be a Rajya Sabha MP?
The answer is no. As per reports, the Election Commission of India (ECI) rule suggests that a person should not be less than 30 years of age to become a member of the Rajya Sabha. Currently, Phogat is 29 years of age and will turn 30 on August 25, 2024. Currently, there are 12 vacant seats in Rajya Sabha. Elections for 12 vacant seats in the Rajya Sabha will take place on September 3. One seat in Haryana is vacant as Congress leader Deepender Hooda contested the Lok Sabha election from Rohtak and won by a margin of 3.4 lakh votes.
What did IOA say about Vinesh Phogat's case at CAS?
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) on Friday clarified that it is not permissible to award two silver medals in the same weight category. Thomas Bach, IOC President during a press conference said, "If you ask generally about having two silver medals in one category, then my answer is no...There are the regulations of the International Federation that have to be followed, and the decision was made by the International Federation, United World Wrestling."
The verdit of CAS on Vinesh Phogat's case is expected to come before the end of Paris Olympics 2024. The Paris Olympics is ending on Augist 11, 2024.