Indian tennis legend Leander Paes has officially become a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), boosting the party’s presence in the upcoming West Bengal Assembly elections. Paes, known for his stellar tennis career and multiple Grand Slam victories, was welcomed into the BJP by senior party members in New Delhi. His move to the BJP follows his previous association with the All India Trinamool Congress in 2021.
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju expressed his delight at Paes’ decision, highlighting the tennis icon’s historic entry into the BJP family. Paes, who had actively supported the All India Trinamool Congress during the Goa Assembly elections last year, is now aligned with the BJP as the political landscape in West Bengal heats up ahead of the polls. The state is gearing up for a significant electoral showdown between the ruling Trinamool Congress and the BJP.
With the West Bengal Assembly elections scheduled in two phases on April 23 and April 29, culminating in the counting of votes on May 4, Paes’ entry into the BJP is viewed as a strategic move to broaden the party’s appeal. The BJP aims to attract a diverse range of voters, including urban and youth demographics, by incorporating well-known figures like Paes into its ranks.
