Dronacharya awardee Mahavir Singh Phogat, on whose life Aamir Khan starrer movie Dangal was made, has taken a plunge into Haryana politics ahead of the polls.
Bhiwani based Phogat is the father and trainer of 2010 Commonwealth Gold medalist Geeta Phogat, the first Indian woman to win a gold in 55-kg freestyle wrestling.
Phogat has been appointed as an office bearer of the newly formed Jannayak Janata Party (JJP) in Haryana and is likely to contest the ensuing elections.
The JJP, founded by Ajay Chautala, the jailed elder son of former chief minister O P Chautala, was a result of the split in the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD).
O P Chautala is also serving a 10-year jail term in a corruption case along with his son Ajay.
Mahavir Phogat has been made the chief of the sports wing of the party and a member of JJP’s core committee.
Ajay’s elder son Dushyant Chautala, an MP, will lead his newly formed party in the general elections in April and the Assembly elections likely in September this year.
The party hopes to connect with the youth through Phogat and his star-wrestler daughters.
Geeta Phogat was also the first Indian woman wrestler to have qualified for the Olympics.
Phogat’s other daughter Babita Kumari won a bronze medal at the 2012 World Wrestling Championships and later went ahead to win the gold medal in 2014 Commonwealth Games.
Phogat's niece, Vinesh Phogat, is also a Commonwealth Games gold medalist and recently won a gold medal at the 2018 Asian games.
The feud in the Chautala family— which now has leader of Opposition and O P Chautala’s younger son Abhay Chautala on one side and Chautala’s elder son Abhay on the other side— is likely to cost both the factions dear.
The new JJP led by the rebel faction hopes to cash in on the charisma and brand value of the senior Phogat and his star-wrestler daughters, who have gained international acclaim.