7 Popular INDIAN Athletes Who Joined Politics

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India's Olympics wrestling stars Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia made headlines as they joined the Indian National Congress.

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The duo will also take part in the 2024 Haryana Assembly elections, representing the Congress.

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However, several Indian sportspersons have been involved in politics before. Here are 7 of the most popular:

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1. Gautam Gambhir

The head coach of the Indian cricket team was a part of the BJP between 2019-2024, being an MP from the East Delhi constituency.

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2. Harbhajan Singh

The legendary India off-spinner joined the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in 2022, and took oath as a member of the Rajya Sabha the same year.

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3. Mohammad Azharuddin

The former India captain joined the Congress in 2009. He won the Moradabad seat in UP in that year's general elections.

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4. Navjot Singh Sidhu

The former batter has been involved with both the BJP and the Congress in different spells.

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5. Babita Phogat

Vinesh Phogat's cousin Babita is a member of the BJP. She lost from Dadri in the 2019 Haryana Assembly elections.

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6. Kalyan Chaubey

The current president of the All India Football Federation (AIFF) contested but lost in the 2019 Indian general elections for BJP.

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7. Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore

The first individual Olympic silver medalist for independent India, shooter Rathore is a cabinet minister nominated by the BJP.

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7 Popular INDIAN Athletes Who Joined Politics

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India's Olympics wrestling stars Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia made headlines as they joined the Indian National Congress.

The duo will also take part in the 2024 Haryana Assembly elections, representing the Congress.

However, several Indian sportspersons have been involved in politics before. Here are 7 of the most popular:

1. Gautam GambhirThe head coach of the Indian cricket team was a part of the BJP between 2019-2024, being an MP from the East Delhi constituency.

2. Harbhajan SinghThe legendary India off-spinner joined the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in 2022, and took oath as a member of the Rajya Sabha the same year.

3. Mohammad AzharuddinThe former India captain joined the Congress in 2009. He won the Moradabad seat in UP in that year's general elections.

4. Navjot Singh SidhuThe former batter has been involved with both the BJP and the Congress in different spells.

5. Babita PhogatVinesh Phogat's cousin Babita is a member of the BJP. She lost from Dadri in the 2019 Haryana Assembly elections.

6. Kalyan ChaubeyThe current president of the All India Football Federation (AIFF) contested but lost in the 2019 Indian general elections for BJP.

7. Rajyavardhan Singh RathoreThe first individual Olympic silver medalist for independent India, shooter Rathore is a cabinet minister nominated by the BJP.