Tennis icon Leander Paes joins BJP ahead of Bengal polls

Paes, who had joined the Trinamool Congress (TMC) in 2021, formally switched sides at the party headquarters in the national capital.

He was inducted into the BJP in the presence of Union Ministers Kiren Rijiju and Sukanta Majumdar.

Paes is one of India’s most celebrated tennis players, known for his remarkable longevity and success on the global stage.

He rose to prominence after winning a historic bronze medal at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, becoming the first Indian in decades to secure an individual Olympic medal.

Over the years, Paes established himself as a doubles specialist of the highest order, winning 18 Grand Slam titles—eight in men’s doubles and ten in mixed doubles. His contributions to the India Davis Cup team were equally significant, where he played a crucial role in several memorable victories, earning a reputation as a fierce competitor and leader.

Beyond tennis, Paes gradually stepped into public life and politics. In 2021, he joined the TMC ahead of the Goa Assembly elections, marking his formal entry into the political arena. His move was seen as an attempt to expand the party’s outreach beyond West Bengal.