Kolkata: India’s former tennis ace and Davis Cup great Leander Paes joined the BJP in Kolkata on Tuesday. He joined the party ahead of the Assembly elections in West Bengal, in the presence of top leaders like Union minister Kiren Rijiju, as reported by The Hindu.
Speculation about Paes’ joining the party was rife after he met BJP president Nitin Nabin recently. It is, however, not known whether he will contest the elections.
Political observers see this as a major gain by the BJP as the party strives to oust the Trinamool Congress (TMC) in the state. The tennis star will serve as a minority face for the party that has been branded communal by opponents, one of them said.
Paes is not new to politics. in 2021, he had aligned himself with the TMC. He went on to campaign actively for the party during the Goa Assembly elections in 2022, though he did not contest
a seat.
Whether he contests the elections this time remains to be seen, but his arrival in the saffron camp is certain to generate considerable attention in a state where celebrity endorsements carry disproportionate electoral weight.
After joining the BJP, Paes thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah.
“I want to thank PM Modi, Amit Shah Ji and Nitin Nabin for the way the BJP family has nurtured me and given me the opportunity. Kiren Rijiju is someone whom I consider my hero and look up to. We have a big opportunity to serve the youth. This party membership slip is not just a slip but a responsibility to serve the nation”, he said, as reported by Mint.
Paes is one of the most decorated players in Indian tennis history, having played a key role in multiple Davis Cup campaigns. He believes it is time to step forward and actively shape the future of the game by nurturing young talent in India and bring ex-athletes back into tennis.
Rijiju said that Paes’ joining the BJP is historic. “Leander Paes’ entry into the BJP family today is historic. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has championed sports and athletes over the past 12 years,” he said.
MP and former state BJP president Sukanta Majumdar was also present at the event.