Wrestler Beti Of Haryana Babita Phogat Wants To Return To Active Politics, And She Has Plans To Sweat It Out

International wrestler Babita Phogat, who joined Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 2019, has resigned as Deputy Director of the Haryana's sports department.

Her appointment to the post of deputy director came earlier this year. The appointment was expected to further solidify the existing proficient sports scenario.

Phogat would work with Sports Minister Sandeep Singh at the helm. Singh himself is an ace hockey player and drag flick expert who steered India to the 2012 Olympics, and is known for other stellar achievements during his life-phase as a sportsman.

Phogat is daughter of Haryana wrestling coach Mahavir Phogat. Along with international wrestler and sister Gita, Babita, too, emerged from Mahavir Phogat's training pit and the sports-rich soil of Haryana.

The team of Singh and two women achievers (Phogat and Kavita Devi) would make a potential dream team in sports administration of a gold-reaping state such as Haryana.

But Phogat's heart and call seem to lie in the uncertainties of politics and fierce challenges. Phogat shared the announcement of her resignation from the post of deputy director, sports department, Haryana, on Twitter. She said in her post that she wants to be back in active politics and would like to work with the party on the ground.

The brief letter was addressed to the Principal Secretary of the sports department. Phogat said she was resigning owing to "unavoidable circumstances".

She added in her post that she met Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar and took his blessings.

Phogat had contested the 2019 Haryana Assembly election from Dadri. She lost this contest.

Her resignation has triggered the speculation in some sections of the media that she will contest the bypoll for an assembly seat in Sonipat.

Phogat told the media after her resignation, "I am going to take an active part in politics and campaign in the Baroda assembly bypoll (in the state), besides the assembly elections in Bihar."

When Phogat talks about "campaigning" at the Baroda constituency, the media speculates that she will contest from this "Jat dominated seat". The bypoll here is scheduled for 3 November.

Babita (along with sister Gita) has been a vocal supporter of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on social media and has spoken in support of some of the policies of the Centre.

Among sportspersons who have joined BJP and are part of active politics, and among the celebrities in general, the Phogat sisters stand out for their sharp tone on the issue of nationalism. They also take on the opposition and views that are opposed to the nation, to Indic values, to the BJP, and to Centre's policies.

Her party has a chance to make use of her strengths, communication, and views and help her widen her reach and deepen her feet (into soil). It also has the opportunity to iron out her preparation and shape her as a formidable woman leader and a Jat leader who comes with a thirst for achievement. Her willingness, readiness, and timing are three reasons to go for it.

Her success in Haryana could help her party in other states — where her appeal as a Jat, a Hindu woman leader, a sportsperson, a Haryanvi, a 'sanskari' modern woman from "Beti aage baraahao" Haryana, and a campaigner, can be harnessed.