Sakshi Malik's Shocking Claim: Babita Phogat Incited Wrestlers for WFI Power Grab!

NEW DELHI – In a startling claim, Olympian Sakshi Malik has accused BJP leader and fellow wrestler Babita Phogat of inciting athletes to protest against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, the current president of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI). According to Sakshi, Babita’s motivation was not just about bringing justice to wrestlers but also about her own political aspirations to take over the WFI leadership.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with Aaj Tak, Sakshi revealed that Babita orchestrated meetings with wrestlers, urging them to raise their voices against the alleged incidents of misconduct within the federation. "Babita Phogat wanted to remove Brij Bhushan from the WFI president's position so that she could become the new president herself," Sakshi said.

Babita's Agenda Behind the Protest

Sakshi claimed that Babita held a meeting with several wrestlers, during which she encouraged them to protest against the WFI leadership, citing issues of harassment and misconduct. The protest movement against Brij Bhushan gained momentum earlier this year, with wrestlers demanding his removal and a thorough investigation into the federation's handling of misconduct allegations.

However, Sakshi now suggests that Babita's real intention was to create a power vacuum at the top of the WFI to further her own ambition of becoming the president of the federation.

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Support from BJP Leaders, Not Congress

When asked whether the protest had political backing from the Congress, Sakshi firmly denied the claim. "It is completely false. In fact, it was two BJP leaders, Babita Phogat and Teerath Rana, who helped us obtain permission to hold protests in Haryana," Sakshi stated. She reiterated that Babita approached the wrestlers with the idea of protesting against Brij Bhushan, pushing her own agenda for the WFI leadership.

Sakshi's remarks come at a time when the wrestling community is already embroiled in controversies surrounding governance and leadership in Indian wrestling. Her claims have stirred significant political and sporting discussions, especially with Babita Phogat’s dual role as a politician and a prominent figure in Indian wrestling.

The Larger Impact on Indian Wrestling

This revelation has added another layer of complexity to the ongoing controversies surrounding the WFI. With accusations flying between prominent athletes and political figures, the future of the federation and its leadership remains uncertain. While the allegations of misconduct within the WFI have drawn widespread attention, these latest claims by Sakshi point to a deeper internal struggle for control over the wrestling body.

As the situation develops, it remains to be seen how Babita Phogat and other involved parties will respond to these serious accusations. For now, the wrestling community continues to grapple with the consequences of these internal conflicts and the potential fallout from Sakshi Malik’s claims.