New Delhi, March 31, 2026: In a significant political development just weeks before the West Bengal Assembly elections, Indian tennis icon Leander Paes has formally joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at the party’s national headquarters here.
The 19-time Grand Slam champion was inducted into the BJP in the presence of Union Minister Kiren Rijiju and West Bengal BJP president Sukanta Majumdar. Paes, widely regarded as India’s most decorated tennis player, described the moment as “a big moment” in his life and extended gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and senior party leaders for their support.
Speaking after the formal joining ceremony, Paes outlined his vision for the future, saying his focus would remain on youth development, promoting sports through initiatives like Khelo India, women’s empowerment, and serving the nation through the party platform. The move marks a full transition for the tennis star from the sports arena to active politics.
This is not Paes’s first foray into the political sphere. Ahead of the 2021 West Bengal polls, he had briefly joined the Trinamool Congress (TMC) but remained largely inactive thereafter. His decision to switch to the BJP is being seen as a strategic boost for the party’s campaign in the state, where it is looking to expand its footprint against the ruling TMC.
BJP leaders have welcomed the development enthusiastically, describing it as a major addition that will bring star power and appeal among the youth and sports enthusiasts in Bengal. In contrast, the TMC has reacted sharply, mocking the induction on social media and labelling Paes an “outsider” being parachuted into state politics.
With the 2026 elections drawing closer, Paes’s entry into the BJP adds a high-profile name to the party’s roster and is expected to generate significant attention in the run-up to the polls. The tennis legend now joins a growing list of celebrities and public figures aligning with the BJP as it intensifies its efforts in eastern India.
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