Babita Phogat quits as Sports Deputy director to devote time to politics

Wrestler Babita Phogat on Wednesday (October 7) resigned from the post of deputy director of Haryanas Sports and Youth Affairs Department, saying she wanted to devote herself fully to politics actively.

Even though Phogat cited “unavoidable reasons” behind her decision in her resignation letter, she told PTI that she has decided to devote all her time to active politics. “I want to devote full time to active politics. Baroda bypoll in Sonipat and Bihar state Assembly polls are going to be held next month and I have decided to work for the party (BJP) in these elections,” she said.

The Baroda assembly seat had fallen vacant after the demise of main opposition Congress Shri Krishan Hooda in April.

Earlier in the day, Phogat sent her resignation to the principal secretary of the Haryana Sports and Youth Affairs Department. Her resignation letter was received today, a senior official of the Department said.

Taking to Twitter, Phogat said she met Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar after sending in her resignation on Wednesday.

In her resignation letter, Phogat mentioned that she had recently joined the Department but due to certain “unavoidable reasons”, she was unable to continue with the government service.

Notably, Phogat had unsuccessfully contested the 2019 Assembly polls from Dadri Assembly constituency in the state as a BJP candidate.

Babita Phogat is the daughter of Mahavir Phogat, a noted wrestling coach. The Phogats became a household name in the country after the success of the Hindi film Dangal, which is based on the lives of Phogat sisters, all of them wrestlers, and their father who coached them against all odds.

(With inputs from agencies)