Kolkata, April 1 – A day after joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), tennis legend Leander Paes met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Wednesday.
"I am humbled by the leadership, energy, and passion of Shri Narendra Modi Ji for our nation. I am honored to be part of your team and to serve India under your guidance. Jai Hind Jai Bharat," Paes wrote in his reply to a post on X, formerly Twitter, by Prime Minister Modi after their meeting.
Earlier, PM Modi posted on social media about their meeting and said they discussed a wide range of issues.
"I had a great meeting with Shri Leander Paes Ji. India is very proud of its achievements in tennis. We discussed a wide range of issues. His passion for sports and nation-building is truly admirable," PM Modi wrote in his post.
Earlier on Tuesday, Paes joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) just before the upcoming Bengal elections.
On Tuesday, Paes expressed his gratitude to Home Minister Amit Shah for inducting him into the BJP and said he would strive to live up to his faith with dedication and sincerity.
In a post on X, Paes said, "I am deeply honored and grateful to Shri Amit Shah Ji @AmitShah for inducting me into the Bharatiya Janata Party @BJP4India and for placing his trust in me. I will strive to live up to his faith with dedication and sincerity. Until today, I wore the Tiranga on my chest. Now I also carry it on my shoulders, and I will work towards empowering our youth and strengthening sports across the nation. Jai Bharat Jai Hind."
In another social media post, Paes said he is committed to working with a strong focus on youth development and the growth of sport in the country after joining the BJP earlier on Tuesday, just ahead of the elections in West Bengal.
He also thanked Nitin Nabin, the BJP's national president, for believing in him.
"I sincerely thank Shri Nitin Nabin Ji @NitinNabin for being instrumental and inspiring, for his encouragement, and for believing in me as I begin this new journey with the Bharatiya Janata Party. I am committed to working with dedication and integrity, with a strong focus on youth development and the growth of sport in our country. Jai Bharat Jai Hind," Paes said in a post on X, formerly Twitter.
Paes formally joined the BJP in New Delhi in the presence of senior party leaders, days after meeting state BJP chief Nitin Nabin in Kolkata, which had fuelled speculation about his political move.
Welcoming him into the party, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju said, “There is no need for a separate introduction of the legendary Leander Paes. Across India, there is no need to explain who Leander Paes is. Even so, today, Leander Paes’ entry into the BJP family is historic. Inspired by the work Prime Minister Modi has done for sports and athletes over the past 12 years, Leander Paes has joined our party as a BJP member…”
Paes, one of India’s most celebrated tennis players with multiple Grand Slam titles, had earlier entered politics by joining the All India Trinamool Congress in 2021. He had campaigned for the party during the Goa Assembly elections in 2022 but did not contest any polls.
His switch comes at a crucial time as political activity intensifies in West Bengal ahead of the Assembly elections. The contest in the state is expected to be primarily between the ruling All India Trinamool Congress, led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, and the BJP, which is aiming to expand its footprint in the state.
The West Bengal Assembly elections will be held in two phases on April 23 and April 29, with counting scheduled for May 4. All 294 constituencies will go to the polls in what is shaping up to be a closely watched political battle.