BJP Candidate Babita Phogat on Election ‘Dangal’ in Haryana & More

Wrestler turned politician Babita Phogat answered all the questions from ‘vikas’ to ‘Beto Bachao, Beti Padhao’.

Wrestler Babita Phogat with The Quint’s reporter Shadab Moizee

(Photo: The Quint)

Video Editor: Sandeep Suman

The Quint’s election coverage has reached Haryana where we have a real wrestler participating in the electoral ‘dangal’ Babita Phogat. Babita is BJP’s candidate from Dadri for 2019 Haryana Assembly polls.

In her electoral debut, Phogat faces the Congress’ Maj (Retd) Nripendra Singh Sangwan and the JJP’s Satpal Sangwan.

The wrestler-turned-politician boldly answered all the questions from ‘vikas’ to issues like ‘Beto Bachao, Beti Padhao.’

How is political ‘dangal’ different from a wrestling ‘dangal’?

‘Dangal’ is the same but the manoeuvres are a little different. In wrestling, you have to counter an opponent’s move and you have to do the same in politics.

Now that you have joined politics, a question is being raised that why did you choose BJP over JJP?

We have personal relations with (Chautala) family. My father and uncle were associated with them. I would often meet PM Modi whenever he invited me.

In this election, an important issue is that unemployment rate is highest in Haryana. How will you counter that problem? How will you answer these questions?

My answer to them will be, that I can improve the situation only when I am elected to a post. How can one make any improvements without being at any position of power?

When I win the election, plans will formulate on their own.

You are raising the slogan of ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’ but BJP has been under fire from Opposition over treatment of women by some of its leaders. Be it Swami Chinmayanand or Kuldeep Sengar or countless rape cases in Haryana...

I would like to say that such acts were not committed by a party. There are a lot of people who rape women and tease them. Such people are a part of our society. So, we need to bring societal change.

When Babita Phogat will win, your constituents will hope that you work for their benefit. What are the three issues which will be a priority for you?

There are a lot of issues… I will do my best to promote athletes in Haryana.

Second, I will work on water resources and make sure that water reaches every house and every farmland.

Third, will be roads. So that the connectivity is not an issue.

Will you give up sports now?

Sports is an integral part of my life. I can never let go of it. Even if I wish, I can’t. Sports is also a kind of drug. Once you are addicted to it, then you can’t let go.