Wrestler-turned politicians Babita Phogat (BJP) and Vinesh Phogat (Congress). (File image)
The wrestler-turned-politician also accused the Congress of fostering division and breaking families for political gain.
Wrestler and BJP leader Babita Phogat on Tuesday accused former Haryana Chief Minister and senior Congress leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda of creating a rift in her family after her cousin and Olympian wrestler Vinesh Phogat joined the grand old party last week.
While speaking to the reporters in Haryana’s Charkhi Dadri, the wrestler-turned-politician accused the Congress of fostering division and breaking families for political gain.
“Bhupinder Hooda succeeded in creating a rift in the Phogat family. People will teach him a lesson. The Congress’ agenda has been to divide and rule. They have always worked to break families,” she said.
Vinesh took a haste decision, says Babita
The BJP leader also criticised Vinesh for her ‘haste decision’ to enter into the political fray and joining the Congress.
She further said that Vinesh should have listened and heeded the advice of former wrestling coach Mahavir Phogat, her father and Vinesh’s uncle. Babita said that Mahavir’s guidance would have been the right path for Vinesh.
Babita also suggested that Vinesh, who missed out on a medal at the Paris Olympics, should have concentrated on her wrestling career instead, as she had the potential to win an Olympic gold in 2028.
In the 2019 assembly polls, Babita contested from Dadri but lost to independent candidate Somveer Sangwan. This time, the saffron party has fielded Sunil Sangwan, while the Congress has yet to announce its candidate. Babita supported the BJP’s decision of not fielding her.
Mahavir Phogat slams Vinesh for entering politics
Earlier today, Mahavir Singh Phogat expressed his disappointment over the decision of Vinesh entering politics, saying that we wanted her to participate in 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and bring gold for India.
“Vinesh should have played LA Olympics but now that she has moved to politics, we have started preparing Sangeeta Phogat for the 2028 Games, she will bring a medal for India. Because of Jantar Mantar protest, Sangeeta missed nationals. Babita Phogat’s knees are not fine, so no point of her coming back to mat,” Mahavir said to news agency IANS.
“I wanted Vinesh to prepare herself for the 2028 Olympics. The decision Vinesh has made to contest the elections is entirely up to her and her husband (Somvir). We had no desire for her to enter politics. I am not happy with her decision to join politics. The entire nation was expecting Vinesh to bring home the gold in 2028, and I was hoping for the same,” he said.
“She entered politics, might become a legislator or even a minister, but if she had won a gold medal in the Olympics, it would be remembered for life,” he added.
Vinesh’s entry in politics
Olympians Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia, who were at the forefront of the wrestlers’ protest against then Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief and former BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, entered the political arena last week by joining the Congress.
Phogat (30) has been fielded by the Congress from the Julana assembly segment for the upcoming Haryana assembly poll.
