Kolkata: Indian tennis icon Leander Paes formally joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, in a high-profile move just weeks before the West Bengal Legislative Assembly elections. Paes was inducted into the party at a ceremony in New Delhi attended by senior leaders, including Union Minister Kiren Rijiju and Minister of State Sukanta Majumdar. His entry into the saffron fold followed a recent meeting in Kolkata with Nitin Nabin, who took charge as the BJP’s National President in January 2026.
Accepting the party membership, Paes expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, stating that he views the opportunity as a “responsibility to serve the nation.” Union Minister Kiren Rijiju hailed the move as “historic,” noting that Paes’s involvement would give significant momentum to the ‘Khelo India’ movement and inspire the country’s youth. While speculation remains rife regarding whether the Olympic medallist will be fielded as a candidate, his primary role is expected to involve high-decibel campaigning across the state.
This transition marks a significant political shift for Paes, who had previously joined the Trinamool Congress (TMC) in 2021 and campaigned for Mamata Banerjee’s party during the 2022 Goa Assembly elections. His move to the BJP comes as West Bengal prepares for a two-phase election scheduled for April 23 and April 29, 2026. By securing one of Bengal’s most celebrated sporting figures, the BJP aims to bolster its appeal among urban voters and the youth as it challenges the TMC’s decade-long governance in the state.
