BJP leader Brij Bhushan Singh accused Olympic wrestler Vinesh Phogat of cheating to attend the Tokyo Olympics. He claimed she didn't win a medal because "God punished her." Singh's remarks follow Phogat's political entry into the Congress party, where she was announced as the candidate for the Haryana Assembly elections. Bhushan alleged that Phogat took another wrestler's spot at the Olympics by manipulating trials. He also accused Bajrang Punia of participating in the Asian Games without trials. Both Phogat and Punia had led the protests against Bhushan last year over sexual harassment allegations.

Olympian wrestler Vinesh Phogat will contest the Haryana Assembly election from the Julana seat after joining the Congress Party. Her candidacy was confirmed during the party's Central Election Committee meeting. Meanwhile, fellow wrestler Bajrang Punia has been appointed Working Chairman of the All India Kisan Congress. Both athletes had protested against former WFI chief Brij Bhushan Singh in 2023. Phogat emphasized her commitment to fighting for athletes' rights and expressed pride in joining Congress. Talks of a Congress-AAP alliance in Haryana are ongoing.

Wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia joined Congress on Friday ahead of the Haryana Assembly polls. Phogat criticized the BJP for its treatment of wrestlers during their protest against ex-WFI chief Brij Bhushan Singh. She accused the BJP of spreading lies about their careers and praised Congress for supporting them during tough times. Punia echoed her sentiments, accusing the BJP of siding with injustice. Phogat expressed pride in joining Congress, calling it a stand against injustice towards women, especially after her disqualification from the Paris Olympics 2024.

The Trinamool Congress (TMC) released a video to counter claims that Kolkata Police offered a bribe to the parents of a doctor allegedly raped and murdered at RG Kar Medical College. In the video, the victim's father denied these allegations, calling them lies. TMC leader Shashi Panja accused the BJP of politicizing the tragedy for their gain. The BJP was blamed for spreading false information, with Panja pointing to the party's IT cell. The doctor's death on August 9 sparked protests, leading to strikes by junior doctors across West Bengal.

Wrestler Vinesh Phogat, who joined the Congress party on Friday, will contest the Haryana Assembly elections from the Julana seat, sources confirmed. Phogat, known for her achievements in wrestling, announced she is starting a new chapter in politics and hopes to improve the conditions for sportspersons. She criticized the BJP for its treatment of wrestlers during protests against former Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. Bajrang Punia, who joined the Congress alongside Phogat, will not run in the elections. Phogat retired from wrestling after her disqualification from the Paris Olympics 2024.

The BJP has released its 25-point manifesto for the upcoming Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections. Union home minister Amit Shah highlighted the party's plans for the region, including financial aid for women, free gas cylinders, and a ₹3,000 travel allowance for students. The manifesto also focuses on ending terrorism, boosting local businesses, and improving infrastructure. Plans include developing an IT hub in Jammu, modern tourist spots, and a riverfront. The BJP also aims to support farmers, expand healthcare, and rehabilitate Kashmiri Pandits while tackling illegal settlements.

The Trinamool Congress (TMC) has countered bribery allegations in the RG Kar rape-murder case by releasing a video of the victim’s parents, who deny claims of police bribery. The video, recorded last month, features the victim’s father rejecting bribery accusations, calling them "baseless rumours." TMC leader Shashi Panja accused the BJP of exploiting the tragedy for political gain and condemned the spread of "fake" videos by BJP's IT cell. The BJP has been criticized for politicizing the issue and attempting to undermine the pursuit of justice for the victim.

Rahul Gandhi has criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi after the collapse of a 35-foot statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in Maharashtra. The Congress leader called it an insult to the warrior king. Gandhi claimed corruption in the statue's construction and said the contract was given to an RSS member. He questioned why PM Modi apologized, suggesting he knew about the corruption. Sculptor Jaydeep Apte and consultant Chetan Patil have been arrested. The opposition claims Apte has connections with Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s son. Gandhi urged PM Modi to apologize to the people of Maharashtra.

BJP Bengal chief Sukanta Mazumdar accused Sandip Ghosh, ex-principal of Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College, of ordering renovation near the seminar hall where a trainee doctor was raped and murdered. The order, allegedly signed by Ghosh and dated August 10, a day after the victim's death, sparked opposition claims of evidence tampering. Ghosh is currently under CBI investigation for financial irregularities. The victim's family revealed delays in viewing the body and discrepancies in the hospital's statements. The Supreme Court also questioned the Bengal government on the late filing of the FIR.

Indian cricketer Ravindra Jadeja has officially entered politics by joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). His wife, Rivaba Jadeja, who is a BJP MLA from the Jamnagar seat, announced the news on social media, sharing photos of them holding BJP membership cards. The enrolment took place during the BJP’s nationwide membership drive launched by party president JP Nadda on September 2, 2024. Ravindra Jadeja recently retired from T20Is after India’s victory in the T20 World Cup. Rivaba Jadeja joined the BJP in 2019 and secured the Jamnagar seat in the 2022 assembly elections.