Tennis legend Leander Paes joins BJP as Bengal 2026 poll battle heats up

Synopsis

Tennis legend Leander Paes has officially joined the Bharatiya Janata Party, marking his foray into active politics ahead of the West Bengal elections. The Wimbledon champion, an Olympic medalist and an International Tennis Hall of Fame inductee, brings his immense popularity and national recognition to the party.

Indian tennis legend Leander Paes joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) today in the presence of Union Ministers Kiren Rijiju and Sukanta Majumdar.

The development signals Paes’s entry into active politics, adding another high-profile name to the party’s growing list of prominent figures from diverse fields.

Expressing his gratitude for the new platform, the tennis ace remarked, "Today is a big day in my life. I want to thank the PM, HM, and Nitin Nabin ji. I am really grateful for the way the BJP has given me this opportunity to serve sports, sports education, and the youth."

Welcoming the sporting legend into the party fold, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, said, "This is a moment to celebrate as the iconic Leander Paes has joined BJP. I clearly foresee that you will play a bigger innings on the BJP platform. Your joining the BJP will ensure that the Khelo India movement gains further momentum."

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Emphasising the significance of the athlete's lineage during the joining ceremony, Union Minister Sukant Majumdar remarked, "I welcome Tennis icon Leander Paes to the BJP. Today is a great day for us. He inspires Bengal youth with his Tennis. For the upcoming polls, he will boost our party. There is a clear indication that there is a wave of saffron now... Leander Paes is the direct descendant of the renowned 19th-century Bengali poet and dramatist, Michael Madhusudan Dutt."

Crediting the leadership for the nation's sporting progress, Leander Paes Kehlo further said, "I played for the country for 40 years, now it's time to serve the youth. Kehlo India Movement and TOPS scheme are really great. I know with how much passion Kiren Rijijiu ji has worked towards our contingent's performance in the Tokyo Olympics. He fulfilled his responsibility given to him by the PM. Today, India is the youngest nation in the world. We should focus on sports education in the next 20-25 years. In 1986, in West Bengal, there was not much sports infrastructure. Even today, there is no indoor tennis court in the country. Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Bihar can do better, but we need to focus on inspiring and empowering youth in sports education...My dream is to bring a program for equal opportunity scholarship for women empowerment in India."

Leander Paes: From Tennis Icon to Political Entry

Born in Kolkata, Paes is widely regarded as one of the greatest doubles players in tennis history. Over a career spanning three decades, he won multiple Grand Slam titles and became a global ambassador for Indian tennis.

He is also the only Indian to have won an Olympic medal in tennis, securing a bronze at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.

Leander Paes: Grand Slam Success and Historic Achievements

Paes has an illustrious record that includes eight men’s doubles and ten mixed doubles Grand Slam titles. He achieved a rare career Grand Slam in both men’s and mixed doubles.

Partnering with Mahesh Bhupathi, he formed one of India’s most successful doubles pairings, reaching all four Grand Slam finals in 1999.

Awards and Honours of Leander Paes

In recognition of his contributions to Indian sport, Paes has received several prestigious awards, including the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan.

He also holds the record for the most doubles wins in Davis Cup history.

Olympic and International Legacy

Paes represented India in seven consecutive Olympic Games from 1992 to 2016, a record in tennis. He is also the most decorated male tennis player in Asian Games history, winning multiple gold and bronze medals across categories.

In 2024, he was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame, becoming the first Asian man to receive the honour.

Political Move Seen as Strategic

Leander Paes’s decision to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ahead of the 2026 West Bengal elections is being seen as a strategic move for both the party and the former athlete.

With his widespread popularity and national recognition, Paes could strengthen the party’s outreach, particularly among younger voters and sports enthusiasts.

Having retired from professional tennis in 2020, Paes now appears ready to embark on a new chapter in public life.

As he formally steps into politics, attention will increasingly focus on the role he may play in shaping the political landscape in the run-up to the Bengal polls.

Inputs from agencies

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