Tennis icon Leander Paes has officially traded his political colors, joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in New Delhi on Tuesday. This move comes just weeks before the West Bengal elections and ahead of next year’s Assembly polls in Goa—two states where the Olympic medalist has deep personal and political roots.
A New Chapter in a Storied Career
At a ceremony at the BJP headquarters, Paes was welcomed by Union Minister Kiren Rijiju. Expressing his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, Paes described his membership as a significant responsibility.
“I have been given the opportunity by the BJP to serve the people and youth of this country,” Paes stated. “We have 745 million youth in this country, and we need to build a future for them.”
From TMC to BJP: A Political Shift
This is not Paes’ first foray into the political arena, though his previous affiliations were with the BJP’s rivals:
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2014: First joined the Trinamool Congress (TMC) but did not pursue an active role.
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2021: Rejoined the TMC in Goa under Mamata Banerjee’s leadership during the party’s push to expand its national footprint.
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2026: Formally joins the BJP, citing inspiration from the Prime Minister’s focus on sports and athletes over the last 12 years.
Vision for Indian Sports
Paes, an 18-time Grand Slam winner and the first Indian to be inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame, highlighted specific goals for his new role:
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Infrastructure: Noted the lack of indoor tennis courts in India and pledged to improve sports facilities.
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Equity: Advocated for an equal pay grade system for male and female athletes.
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Youth Empowerment: Credited the Khelo India movement as a game-changer and aims to further sports education.
A Sporting Legacy
Born in Kolkata to a family of athletes—his father, Vece Paes, was an Olympic hockey bronze medalist, and his mother, Jennifer Paes, captained the national basketball team—Leander’s move is seen as a strategic acquisition for the BJP.
Minister Rijiju termed the entry “historic,” noting that Paes’ legendary status requires no introduction and will bolster the party’s appeal among the youth and the sporting community as the country heads into a critical election cycle.
Quick Stats: Leander Paes
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Olympic Glory: Bronze Medal (Singles), 1996 Atlanta Games.
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Grand Slams: 18 titles across Doubles and Mixed Doubles.
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Honors: Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, Padma Shri, and Padma Bhushan.
