Will promote sports: Phogat

Chandigarh, October 21

Wrestler-turned-politician and BJP candidate Babita Phogat on Monday cast her vote at her native village in Bhiwani along with her father Mahavir Phogat and sister Geeta Phogat.

Babita is among the 12 women candidates fielded by the BJP in the Haryana Assembly elections.

“Development of my constituency and promotion of sports in the state will be my top priorities if I am elected,” she told mediapersons after casting her vote.

Two-time Commonwealth Games gold medallist Babita, who is making her political debut from Dadri in Charki Dadri district, is advocating promotion of women's sports in the state.

She aims to rechristen Prime Minister Narendra Modi's flagship 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao' programme by incorporating 'Beti Khilao' in it.

Babita is pitted against ex-serviceman Nirpender Singh Sangwan of the Congress, BJP rebel and Independent Sombir Sangwan (52) and JJP's Satpal Sangwan.

Unlike Babita, others in the fray are veteran politicians belonging to the Jat community. While Nirpender and Satpal are former legislators, Sombir finished second in the 2014 Assembly polls. — IANS