Leander Paes Joins BJP Ahead of West Bengal Assembly Elections

Tennis legend Leander Paes has officially joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as he prepares to enter the political arena ahead of the West Bengal Assembly elections. Expressing his desire to serve the nation and support youth development through sports, Paes' transition from the Trinamool Congress to the BJP has sparked discussions about his role in the upcoming elections. With a storied career in tennis, including multiple Grand Slam titles and an Olympic medal, Paes aims to leverage his influence for change in West Bengal. The elections are set for late April, with results to be announced in early May.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 31, 2026, 19:35 IST

Leander Paes Enters Politics with BJP Membership

On Tuesday, renowned tennis player Leander Paes officially became a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at the party's headquarters in New Delhi, just before the upcoming West Bengal Assembly elections.

Following his induction, the BJP's West Bengal unit took to social media to express their enthusiasm, stating: “From global courts to national commitment, another voice supports the call for poriborton [change] in West Bengal.”

After aligning with the BJP, Paes expressed that he sees this move as a chance to serve the nation and play a role in nurturing the youth, especially through sports, as reported by a news agency.

Previously, Paes was affiliated with the Trinamool Congress, having joined them in 2021 prior to the Goa Assembly elections.

In response to Paes' switch, the Trinamool Congress criticized the BJP for bringing in another “bohiragoto,” or outsider, into West Bengal.

Born in Kolkata in 1973, Paes is celebrated as one of India's top tennis players, boasting 18 Grand Slam titles in both men's and mixed doubles, along with a bronze medal from the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.

His accolades include the Khel Ratna, Arjuna Award, Padma Shri, and Padma Bhushan, and he was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2024.

The West Bengal Assembly elections are scheduled to take place in two phases on April 23 and April 29, with results expected on May 4.