Leander Paes joins BJP days ahead of Bengal polls
Paes' formal entry to West Bengal's politics took place in the presence of Union Minister Kiren Rijiju and the Minister of State, Sukanta Majumdar.
In a major political development in West Bengal, tennis icon Leander Paes has joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ahead of the 2026 assembly polls. His induction into the party was marked by the presence of Union Minister Kiren Rijiju and the Union Minister of State in the Ministry of Education, Sukanta Majumdar.
Welcoming Paes to the party, Rijiju recalled his brilliance in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, where the tennis legend secured a bronze medal in the Men's singles competition. The Union Minister said that he was "disheartened" to see an injured Paes losing against Andre Agassi, who later went on to win the gold medal.
"India's name rarely appeared on the medal tally. It was Leander Paes who, for the first time, put India on the Olympic map," said Rijiju. Now, he will serve the nation through the platform of the BJP," he added. The minister also considered the moment of induction as a 'historic' one.
Meanwhile, Majumdar, an MP from West Bengal's Balurghat constituency, said that Paes's official entry will help the party to grow further in the state.
WANT TO SERVE NATION AND YOUTH, PAES SAYS
The former tennis player could not hold his emotions after becoming the party member on Tuesday. Speaking at the press conference, he said that throughout his life, he played to earn respect for himself, family members, and the country. However, the time has now come to serve the nation.
"For 40 years in my life, I have played for the country, represented India in tournaments like the Davis Cup and Olympics to earn respect . Now, this is a new field. My brothers have bestowed a responsibility, and I want to serve the nation and the youth.
He also expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and the BJP's national president Nitin Nabin for the opportunity.
"I want to thank PM Modi, Amit Shah ji and Nitin Nabin and appreciate 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. This party membership slip is not just a slip but a responsibility to serve the nation," Paes said.
WHO IS LEANDER PAES?
Paes, the former world number one in men's doubles, won five Wimbledon titles (one in men's doubles, four in mixed doubles) and a total of 18 Grand Slams in his career.
In 1999, he partnered with former Indian tennis player Mahesh Bhupathi and won his first Wimbledon title. The pair won three Grand Slams in total and is widely considered the greatest to represent India in tennis.
Apart from doubles, Paes earned his name in men's singles at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics as he secured a Bronze medal. In the semi-finals, Paes played against the former number one, Andre Agassi, and put up a good fight, despite sustaining a wrist injury.
This is not the first time Paes has joined a political party. In 2021, he joined the Trinamool Congress in Goa and took part in the door-to-door campaigning in the 2022 Goan assembly election.
HOW PAES'S INCLUSION CAN HELP BJP
With Leander Paes, the BJP would be hoping to attract the urban elite and the middle-class in Kolkata and several adjoining districts of south Bengal, traditionally considered a bastion of the ruling Trinamool Congress. The BJP has historically struggled in these areas due to the lack of a face appealing to the broad section of the educated voters.
Kolkata, which comprises 11 assembly constituencies (as a district), has disappointed the party in the last two assembly polls. The BJP failed to open its tally in both the 2016 and 2021 assembly elections and also had a poor run in both the 2019 and 2024 Lok Sabha polls.
Ahead of the last assembly elections in 2021, it was widely speculated that Sourav Ganguly, the former captain of the Indian men's cricket team, could join the BJP. However, Ganguly expressed his disinterest in joining politics and dismissed all rumours of joining the BJP.
The party has been in search of a face since who could swing the urban educated voters of south Bengal in its favour.
Will Leander Paes be able to do that?
In a major political development in West Bengal, tennis icon Leander Paes has joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ahead of the 2026 assembly polls. His induction into the party was marked by the presence of Union Minister Kiren Rijiju and the Union Minister of State in the Ministry of Education, Sukanta Majumdar.
Welcoming Paes to the party, Rijiju recalled his brilliance in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, where the tennis legend secured a bronze medal in the Men's singles competition. The Union Minister said that he was "disheartened" to see an injured Paes losing against Andre Agassi, who later went on to win the gold medal.
"India's name rarely appeared on the medal tally. It was Leander Paes who, for the first time, put India on the Olympic map," said Rijiju. Now, he will serve the nation through the platform of the BJP," he added. The minister also considered the moment of induction as a 'historic' one.
Meanwhile, Majumdar, an MP from West Bengal's Balurghat constituency, said that Paes's official entry will help the party to grow further in the state.
WANT TO SERVE NATION AND YOUTH, PAES SAYS
The former tennis player could not hold his emotions after becoming the party member on Tuesday. Speaking at the press conference, he said that throughout his life, he played to earn respect for himself, family members, and the country. However, the time has now come to serve the nation.
"For 40 years in my life, I have played for the country, represented India in tournaments like the Davis Cup and Olympics to earn respect . Now, this is a new field. My brothers have bestowed a responsibility, and I want to serve the nation and the youth.
He also expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and the BJP's national president Nitin Nabin for the opportunity.
"I want to thank PM Modi, Amit Shah ji and Nitin Nabin and appreciate 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. This party membership slip is not just a slip but a responsibility to serve the nation," Paes said.
WHO IS LEANDER PAES?
Paes, the former world number one in men's doubles, won five Wimbledon titles (one in men's doubles, four in mixed doubles) and a total of 18 Grand Slams in his career.
In 1999, he partnered with former Indian tennis player Mahesh Bhupathi and won his first Wimbledon title. The pair won three Grand Slams in total and is widely considered the greatest to represent India in tennis.
Apart from doubles, Paes earned his name in men's singles at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics as he secured a Bronze medal. In the semi-finals, Paes played against the former number one, Andre Agassi, and put up a good fight, despite sustaining a wrist injury.
This is not the first time Paes has joined a political party. In 2021, he joined the Trinamool Congress in Goa and took part in the door-to-door campaigning in the 2022 Goan assembly election.
HOW PAES'S INCLUSION CAN HELP BJP
With Leander Paes, the BJP would be hoping to attract the urban elite and the middle-class in Kolkata and several adjoining districts of south Bengal, traditionally considered a bastion of the ruling Trinamool Congress. The BJP has historically struggled in these areas due to the lack of a face appealing to the broad section of the educated voters.
Kolkata, which comprises 11 assembly constituencies (as a district), has disappointed the party in the last two assembly polls. The BJP failed to open its tally in both the 2016 and 2021 assembly elections and also had a poor run in both the 2019 and 2024 Lok Sabha polls.
Ahead of the last assembly elections in 2021, it was widely speculated that Sourav Ganguly, the former captain of the Indian men's cricket team, could join the BJP. However, Ganguly expressed his disinterest in joining politics and dismissed all rumours of joining the BJP.
The party has been in search of a face since who could swing the urban educated voters of south Bengal in its favour.
Will Leander Paes be able to do that?
