The Congress party has released its first list of 31 candidates for the upcoming Haryana Assembly elections, featuring prominent names such as former CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda and newly-joined Vinesh Phogat, who will contest from Garhi Sampla-Kiloi and Julana respectively. Alongside Phogat, another wrestler and Olympian, Bajrang Punia, has also joined Congress, citing the party's support during their protests against former Wrestling Federation chief Brij Bhushan Singh. Phogat and Punia's entry into politics is seen as a significant boost for Congress, especially among farmers, women, and athletes. Meanwhile, the Jannayak Janata Party (JJP) and its allies are keeping their candidate lists flexible to accommodate potential defectors from both BJP and Congress. The elections are scheduled for October 5, with vote counting on October 8.