'Will Remain A Rebel...': Is Boxer Vijender Singh's Cryptic Post Aimed At Congress After BJP Switch?

Olympic medalist and boxer Vijender Singh, who recently switched from the Congress to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), posted a cryptic message on social media platform X on Friday. In his post, written in Hindi, Singh wrote, “I will remain a rebel at those gatherings where fame is achieved by licking the soles.”

The Olympic medalist’s post comes just two days after he joined the ruling BJP on Wednesday. He is the third high-profile Congress leader to have left the grand old party this week.

Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, Singh, who ran unsuccessfully in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections as a Congress candidate from South Delhi, said joining the BJP was like ‘ghar wapasi‘.

“I am joining the BJP today under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and party president JP Nadda. In a way, it is my ‘ghar wapasi’ (homecoming),” he said, adding, “There is a saying in English- ‘Good to be back’. I am feeling very good.” Singh remarked.

He praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said that respect for Indian sportspersons has increased in the country and abroad since the BJP came to power at the Centre.

“I am the same old Vijender. Whatever I would feel wrong, I would call it wrong. I will call it right if I feel it is right,” said Singh, who had been a vocal critic of the BJP and had come out in support of farmers’ protest and wrestlers’ stir, often expressing his views on social media.

Emphasising his commitment to serving the public, particularly athletes, Singh stated: ” I am always there with anyone who has any problem or sorrow. I will resolve the issues through dialogue.”

Several leaders have switched parties ahead of Lok Sabha elections, though Singh’s entry into the BJP is among the crossovers that may have surprised many.

Singh’s name had been circulating for the past few days as a potential Congress candidate from Mathura, a constituency where the BJP has nominated actor and incumbent MP Hema Malini for re-election.

The former boxer comes from the Jat community, which has political influence in a large number of seats in Haryana, his home state, western Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan.

The 38-year-old trailblazing boxer had delivered India’s first Olympic and men’s world championship medals back in 2008 and 2009 and joined professional boxing in 2015.

(With inputs from PTI)