‘Dangal’ Wrestler Babita Phogat Joins BJP With Father

New Delhi: Commonwealth gold medallist and celebrated wrestler Babita Phogat on Monday joined the BJP along with father Mahavir Phogat, a Dhronacharya awardee.

The role of one of the protagonists in the 2017 Bollywood blockbuster Dangal, is inspired from Babita’s life.

“We are impressed with policies and programmes of the Narendra Modi government,” Mahavir told reporters after joining the party in the presence of Union Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju.

Mahavir had joined Jannayak Janata Party founded by Ajay Chautala ahead of the general elections this year and headed its sports cell. However, he was left disappointed after the party refused to give him a ticket to contest the polls.

According to news reports, Babita is also reportedly unhappy with the BJP-led government in Haryana for not upgrading her as the deputy superintendent of police despite her medals. She had joined as a sub-inspector but had reportedly lost the case against the government.

Babita, though, had recently defended the State Chief Minister Manoharlal Khattar’s controversial comments suggesting that Haryana boys are now free to marry Kashmiri girls after the abolition of Article 370.

Babita is aiming for the Olympic gold next year earnestly, despite injuries.