Outgoing WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, currently fighting sexual harassment charges levelled by women wrestlers, and celebrated grappler Vinesh Phogat on August 26 blamed each other for the national federation’s suspension by UWW on account of not holding elections within 45 days.

The WFI elections were supposed to be held on 12th August but the Punjab and Haryana High Court stayed the polls, acting on a petition filed by Haryana Wrestling Association (HWA). On 24th August, United World Wrestling (UWW) suspended WFI as a result of which Indian grapplers won’t be able to compete at next month’s World Championship under national flag.

It was on 25th August that double world championship medallist Vinesh, who spearheaded a sit-on protest at Jantar Mantar for more than one month demanding Brij Bhushan’s arrest, took to Twitter, to accuse the outgoing WFI chief for bringing ignominy to the national federation. She also called him a “mafia”. “If one makes correct assessment of the loss of reputation of the WFI due to Bri Bhushan, he will be completely exposed. The national tri-colour has been shamed by a mafia,” Vinesh wrote on her social media page.