Leander Paes; the all-time greatest tennis player of India. Now, the country’s favorite man is going to move to politics in India. On 31 March 2026, prior to the West Bengal Assembly elections he joined BJP in Delhi. His big transition is from sports to public service and one that will be his focus: on youth empowerment and sports development.
Paes has to be among India's best sports figures with eight men's doubles titles and ten mixed doubles Grand Slam rings won as well as an Olympic bronze medal in Atlanta in 1996. In 2024, he became the first Indian ATP player as a member of the International Tennis Hall of Fame. After retirement from tennis, Paes is pursuing new ideas on how we can give back to society as politics has been in his sights.
Paes said he identified with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision for India at the New Delhi event, saying he was inspired. His home locality Bengal needs more support in sports, education, and youth programs he said. He wishes to use his influence now to do everything he can as well as help to grow sports infrastructure, health, fitness, and create a great young person who wants to be ambitious.
Paes stated four areas he would like to work on:
- Sports education helps young people in discipline and teamwork.
- Infrastructure development for athletes to get better facilities.
- Youth empowerment to give opportunities to the next generation.
- Linking sports with medicine and architecture to create new fields of growth.
His entry to BJP comes at a watershed moment - just days before the West Bengal Assembly elections in 2026. The popularity of Paes, as a sports star, will help BJP to work with younger voters and sports enthusiasts.
Leander Paes’s decision to join BJP is more than just a career move; it is a mission shift. From winning on the tennis court to now aiming for victories in public life, Paes is going to serve Bengal (and India) differently. There are great things that he does after that as well, including social movement and politics, that the sport of sports heroes can help people, as well in the country.
