. =KOLKATA/NEW DELHI: Olympic bronze medallist and multiple Grand Slam doubles champion Leander Paes crossed over to the BJP on Tuesday, exiting the Trinamool Congress after a brief stint.At BJP headquarters in New Delhi, Paes, 52, framed the move as a new “responsibility” after four decades in sport. “I have played for the country… I wish to serve youth and countrymen now,” he said, thanking PM Narendra Modi for the opportunity. Party functionaries pitched the tennis legend’s entry as a signal to urban voters and younger demographics, pushing back against criticism that the BJP focuses narrowly on Hindu causes.Junior Union minister Sukanta Majumdar called Paes “a son of Bengal”, citing his upbringing in Kolkata and lineage tracing back to 19th-century poet and playwright Michael Madhusudan Dutt. Party functionaries expect his profile — Christian, Goan roots, Kolkata upbringing — to widen outreach among non-Hindu communities and the urban middle class.Paes had met BJP national president Nitin Nabin in Kolkata last week, fuelling speculation. He was inducted by the minority affairs minister Kiren Rijiju along with senior netas. BJP insiders said his proximity to Rijiju dates back to 2019–21, when the latter handled the sports portfolio.“We have 74.5 crore youth. We need to build a future for them,” Paes said.Rijiju called the entry a “moment of pride”, describing Paes as an iconic figure inspired by the government’s sports push.Paes had joined Trinamool in 2021 and campaigned in the Goa polls during the party’s expansion attempt that later faltered.Trinamool’s reaction ranged from guarded to pointed. One functionary declined to comment. Another said, “The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, will be discussed in Lok Sabha on Wednesday. Our MP, Saugata Roy, will speak against it. Hopefully, Paes will express his views on this since Trinamool and the Christian community oppose the bill strongly. Now that he will campaign, we hope he will open up on the anti-conversion statutes in 13 states.”Voices from sports and Christian circles struck mixed notes. Former India Davis Cup captain Jaidip Mukerjea said sportspersons should focus on sport. “Joining just before assembly elections also isn’t proper… timing wrong,” he said. Father Gregory Monteiro called the move unexpected but a personal choice, hoping it would benefit the community.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosHow An Indian LPG Tanker Took An Unusual Route To Escape Strait Of HormuzTrump Ready To End Iran War Despite Hormuz Blockade?; Iran’s Oil Revenues Soar Thanks To Trump’s War’India’s Silence Helpful To US, Israel And Gulf States’: Former Deputy NSA Pankaj Saran On Iran WarBig April Financial Reset: New Rules For UPI, ATM, PAN, FASTag, Railway Booking To Impact Daily Life’Like Political Vultures’: PM Modi Slams Congress For ‘Spreading Fear’ Amid West Asia CrisisFallen Leaves To Cooking Fuel: IIT Bombay Develops Indigenous Technology To Tackle LPG Crisis‘One Roti’ For Survival? Pakistani Cleric Stuns India, Reveals Kashmir’s Dark Insurgency SecretMajor Boost Of India’s Maritime Capabilities, Indian Navy Gets 2 Warships & Survey Vessel In Single Day’Played Bangladeshi National Anthem’: Rajnath Singh Slams Congress In Assam Over Infiltration’Nalanda Revival Signals…’: EAM Jaishankar Highlights India’s Role In Shaping Multipolar World123PhotostoriesExclusive – Prince Narula opens up on The 50, reacts to claims of using Elvish Yadav’s name for TRP, and addresses Rajat Dalal’s allegations about giving up the Ticket to Finale out of fear6 foods to combine with avocado to boost fiber intake and how to consume themUnanswered questions in ‘Dhurandhar: The Revenge’ that keep the story alive beyond the screen5 cars that perfectly blend vintage charm with modern appealEnjoyed ‘Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen’? 5 series like this you should add to your watchlistNutrition expert explains how regular potatoes can be used as a gut and liver-boosting food, simple recipe inside5 times Bollywood actresses proved that loud polka dots are the new quiet luxuryRachel McAdams, Emily Blunt to Jason Momoa: Stars who rejected roles in the Marvel Cinematic Universe5 high-protein burgers you can easily make at home and tips to maximize nutritionRussia, Uzbekistan and countries named after famous figures123Hot PicksIncome Tax Changes from April 1stPost office small savings schemesNASA Artemis IIAmazon treeIncome Tax CalculatorPublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingIPL Match TodayRajasthan Board 12th Science ResultVaibhav SooryavanshiKarnataka 1st PUC ResultsUS Iran WarKolkata Assembly ElectionBihar Temple NewsRavindra JadejaDrake Maye InjuryBank Holiday this week
=KOLKATA/NEW DELHI: Olympic bronze medallist and multiple Grand Slam doubles champion Leander Paes crossed over to the BJP on Tuesday, exiting the Trinamool Congress after a brief stint.At BJP headquarters in New Delhi, Paes, 52, framed the move as a new “responsibility” after four decades in sport. “I have played for the country… I wish to serve youth and countrymen now,” he said, thanking PM Narendra Modi for the opportunity. Party functionaries pitched the tennis legend’s entry as a signal to urban voters and younger demographics, pushing back against criticism that the BJP focuses narrowly on Hindu causes.Junior Union minister Sukanta Majumdar called Paes “a son of Bengal”, citing his upbringing in Kolkata and lineage tracing back to 19th-century poet and playwright Michael Madhusudan Dutt. Party functionaries expect his profile — Christian, Goan roots, Kolkata upbringing — to widen outreach among non-Hindu communities and the urban middle class.Paes had met BJP national president Nitin Nabin in Kolkata last week, fuelling speculation. He was inducted by the minority affairs minister Kiren Rijiju along with senior netas. BJP insiders said his proximity to Rijiju dates back to 2019–21, when the latter handled the sports portfolio.“We have 74.5 crore youth. We need to build a future for them,” Paes said.Rijiju called the entry a “moment of pride”, describing Paes as an iconic figure inspired by the government’s sports push.Paes had joined Trinamool in 2021 and campaigned in the Goa polls during the party’s expansion attempt that later faltered.Trinamool’s reaction ranged from guarded to pointed. One functionary declined to comment. Another said, “The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, will be discussed in Lok Sabha on Wednesday. Our MP, Saugata Roy, will speak against it. Hopefully, Paes will express his views on this since Trinamool and the Christian community oppose the bill strongly. Now that he will campaign, we hope he will open up on the anti-conversion statutes in 13 states.”Voices from sports and Christian circles struck mixed notes. Former India Davis Cup captain Jaidip Mukerjea said sportspersons should focus on sport. “Joining just before assembly elections also isn’t proper… timing wrong,” he said. Father Gregory Monteiro called the move unexpected but a personal choice, hoping it would benefit the community.
