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<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nNEW DELHI: BJP<\/a> leader and former wrestler Babita Phogat<\/a> on Tuesday hit back at Congress<\/a> MP Deepender Singh Hooda after he demanded that Haryana be considered as the host or co-host state for the 2030 Commonwealth Games, questioning why the Congress leader had not raised the issue when Delhi hosted the games in 2010.Responding to Hooda’s remarks, Phogat, in a post on X, asked why he had not advocated for Haryana’s hosting rights during the 2010 Commonwealth Games, when he was president of the Haryana Wrestling Association.“Why didn’t you raise your voice, Deependra ji, back in 2010 when the Commonwealth Games were held in Delhi?” Phogat said, questioning Hooda’s contribution to developing sports infrastructure in Haryana during his tenure.She further alleged that Hooda had failed to organise even a single national-level sporting event in Haryana and argued that when an international sporting event is held in a particular state, it is ultimately considered India’s hosting of the event.Babita Phogat also criticised Deepender Hooda over India’s performance at the Commonwealth Games, saying that while Indian athletes helped the country secure fourth place in the medals table, the Congress leader had not raised the issue or encouraged his party leadership to highlight the achievement.“Now you’re putting on a farce outside Parliament about Haryana hosting it,” she said, accusing Hooda and the Congress of engaging in political theatrics.Her remarks came after Hooda, along with fellow Haryana MPs, protested in the Parliament premises and demanded that Haryana be selected as the host or co-host state for the 2030 Commonwealth Games.Hooda said Haryana deserved the opportunity in view of the state’s contribution to India’s medal tally at major sporting events over the past 15-20 years. He argued that if significant public funds were to be invested in sports infrastructure for the games, Haryana should be considered for the development.“We are happy that India is getting a chance to host the Commonwealth Games. Now I urge the government to choose Haryana as the state where those games are to be hosted,” Hooda said in a statement to ANI.He claimed that Haryana had contributed more than 50% of India’s medals in major competitions over the past 15-20 years and said the state should be considered either as the main host or at least as a co-host.Hooda also accused the Centre of favouring Gujarat in the allocation of major projects and facilities, urging the government to follow the principle of “Raj Dharma” and treat all states equally.Ahmedabad was confirmed as the host city for the 2030 Commonwealth Games by Commonwealth Sport in November last year. India had finished fourth in the medals table at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games with 39 medals, including 13 gold, 17 silver and nine bronze.<\/div>\n