NEW DELHI – In a major pre-election stir on March 31, 2026, tennis legend Leander Paes officially joined the BJP, exiting the Trinamool Congress (TMC) after a five-year stint. The move was formalized in Delhi alongside Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, who hailed the Olympic medalist's entry as a "historic" addition to the party.

The "Outsider" Blowback

The Trinamool Congress responded with sharp sarcasm, reviving their signature "Bohiragoto" (outsider) attack against the Kolkata-born athlete:

• The "Goa" Dig: TMC posted on X that the BJP had finally found its "Goa Chief Minister candidate" to parachute into West Bengal.
• Cultural Context: The party is using Paes’s Goan heritage to paint the BJP as a political entity disconnected from Bengal’s local identity.

Political Track Record

• TMC Tenure: Paes joined Mamata Banerjee’s party in 2021 and was the face of their 2022 Goa campaign, though he did not contest the polls himself.
• BJP Vision: Rijiju noted that Paes was inspired by the Prime Minister’s decade-long focus on sports infrastructure and athlete support.

What's Next?

At 53, the doubles specialist remains a global icon. While the BJP has yet to confirm a ticket for him, his induction is a clear strategic move to capture the urban and youth vote in the upcoming Assembly elections, leveraging his status as one of India's greatest sporting heroes.