Former wrestler and BJP leader Babita Phogat responded to former Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda's recent statement about wrestler Vinesh Phogat potentially being nominated to the Rajya Sabha if the Congress had enough assembly seats.

Babita Phogat, who is Vinesh Phogat's cousin, criticized Hooda's remark, stating, "Bhupinder Hooda should first tell during his govt how many players did he send to Rajya Sabha? Hooda Sahab is only behind getting the chair. He should not try to bring politics into our family and divide our family."

She also shared a post on X criticising Hooda and termed former Haryana CM's remark as "very shameful and worrying". 

Meanwhile, Vinesh Phogat announced her retirement from international wrestling after she was disqualified from the Olympic Games for being 100 grams overweight before her gold medal bout in the 50 kg category.

Speaking about Vinesh Phogat's achievements, Bhupinder Singh Hooda on Thursday said, "There are upcoming Rajya Sabha polls, and if we had the majority, I would have nominated her. She has brought immense pride to all of us."

Vinesh was scheduled to take on the United States's Sarah Ann Hildebrandt in the gold medal match today. Babita Phogat said that it was bad luck for Vinesh and also for the people in India. She said that everyone in India was hoping for the gold medal.

"I think today was bad luck for Vinesh as well as the people in India since our eye was on the gold medal... we can't believe that such a thing has happened," Babita said.