Wrestler Babita Phogat quits Haryana sports dept citing 'unavoidable circumstances'
Chandigarh/IBNS: Champion wrestler and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Babita Phogat has resigned as Deputy Director of Haryana sports department, triggering speculation that she might contest the bypoll for an Assembly seat in Sonipat district next month.
Phogat also met state Chief Minister Manonhar Lal Khattar after resigning on Wednesday evening, which further fuelled the speculations.
In a brief letter to the Principal Secretary of the sports department, Phogat cited "unavoidable circumstances" as the reason for her resignation.
"I had recently joined as Deputy Director in sports department but due to unavoidable circumstances I may not be able continue with my services," she wrote.
The bypoll for the Baroda seat in Haryana's Sonipat is scheduled for November 3.
Phogat had earlier unsuccessfully contested the 2019 Haryana Assembly election.
A three-time Commonwealth gold and silver medalist, Phogat joined the BJP in August last year along with her father Mahavir Phogat, just before the Haryana elections.
Inspired from the Phogat family's struggles and success, the 2016 Bollywood blockbuster film 'Dangal' starring Aamir Khan was made that highlighted the journey of Babita and her older sister's in the male-dominated world of wrestling.
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