The contrast couldn't have been starker. The scenes outside the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) office - also outgoing president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh's official residence were delirious.
Drums and flowers awaited the newly-elected president Sanjay Singh, but no sooner did Brij Bhushan make an appearance, it was evident who was calling the shots. Brij Bhushan had, technically speaking, nothing to do with Thursday's polls. His tenure as WFI president had maxed out, his son or son-in-law were not in the running, and he doesn't hold any office in the federation too.
Still, when the 66-year-old BJP MP from Uttar Pradesh's Kaiserganj emerged from his office, his supporters literally bent over backwards to seek his blessings. Garlanded and elated, he declared Sanjay's win as a "victory for the wrestlers".
A little over 500m away, in the teeming, sombre first floor hall of Press Club of India, three of India's most accomplished wrestlers sat dejected and defeated. The sight of Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik, and Vinesh Phogat collectively addressing the media had, in the course of this year, become a recurring leitmotif of the landmark protest the trio has led against Brij Bhushan, a five-time MP.
この記事は Hindustan Times の December 22, 2023 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です ? サインイン
この記事は Hindustan Times の December 22, 2023 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です? サインイン
Palestinian PM Resigns Citing 'New Reality' Of War In Gaza
The United States and other powers have called for a reformed Palestinian Authority to take charge of all Palestinian territories after the end of war
Future Perfect: The Kids Are All Right
Gill and Jurel hold out promise by simplifying a challenging chase to help India seal series
Akshay feels 'blessed' to have worked with OG Ramayan cast
Director Akshay K Agarwal shot a music video, Humare Ram Aaye Hai, with the cast of the 1987 TV show, Ramayanactors Arun Govil, Dipika Chikhlia and Sunil Lahri - in Ayodhya recently.
Musk's firm gets nod for Sat Net; joins Jio, Bharti
Starlink, owned by billionaire Elon Musk, has been allowed to offer satellite broadband services in India, two officials aware of the development said.
A temple, 169 years in the making
Through decades of design and reworks, hurdles in engineering and construction, HT pieces together how the grandeur of the Ram Temple was reclaimed
'Political interference' forces Vihari to quit Andhra cricket
After Andhra bowed out of the Ranji Trophy at the quarter-final stage with a four-run defeat to Madhya Pradesh in Indore on Monday, senior batter Hanuma Vihari launched a scathing attack on the Andhra Cricket Association (ACA), saying he will never turn up for the state again.
Shafali, Kapp lead Capitals to a 9-wicket win over Warriorz
A blazing fifty by Shafali Verma (64₹, 43 balls) helped Delhi Capitals make a mockery of a target of 120 and open their account in the second edition of the Women's Premier League (WPL).
Making 'unbelievable things believable', the Ayhika way
The India No. 7 was an inspired pick for the world team event and she repaid the faith, beating the Chinese world No.1
'Connected TVs to reach 45 mn by 2024-end in India'
With improvement in broadband penetration, Indian households are increasingly opting for connected or addressable TVs.
India chip strategy makes progress as $21 billion in proposals received
The Indian government, after years of watching from the sidelines of the chips race, now has to evaluate $21 billion of semiconductor proposals and divvy up taxpayer support between foreign chipmakers, local champions or some combination of the two.
