Leander exits TMC, joins BJP ‘to serve youth and countrymen’ | India News
Leander Pace has passed BJP On Tuesday, he quit the Trinamool Congress after a brief tenure.At the BJP headquarters in New Delhi, the 52-year-old Paes framed the move as a new “responsibility” after four decades in the sport. “I have played for the country… I now want to serve the youth and countrymen,” he said, thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the opportunity. While party activists touted the tennis legend’s entry as a signal to urban voters and the younger demographic, the BJP pushed back against criticism that it focused narrowly on Hindu causes.Junior Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar called Paes a “son of Bengal”, referring to his upbringing in Kolkata and his lineage to 19th-century poet and playwright Michael Madhusudan Dutta. Party workers hope to expand his profile — Christian, Goan roots, Calcutta upbringing — among non-Hindu communities and the urban middle class.Pace met BJP national president Nitin Naveen in Kolkata last week, fueling speculation. He was joined by Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju along with senior leaders. BJP insiders said his closeness with Rijiju dates back to 2019-21, when the latter held the sports portfolio.“We have 74.5 crore youth. We have to build a future for them,” Pace said.Rijiju called the entry a “proud moment”, describing Paes as an iconic figure inspired by the government’s sports push.Paes joined the Trinamool in 2021 and campaigned in the Goa elections during the party’s expansion efforts which later failed.Grassroots reactions range from guard to point. An official declined to comment. Another said, “The Foreign Contribution (Control) Amendment Bill, 2026, will be discussed in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday. Our MP Saugata Roy will speak against it. Pace is expected to express his views on the bill as grassroots and Christian communities strongly oppose the bill. Now that he’s campaigning, we expect him to open up about anti-conversion laws in 13 states.“Voices from sports and Christian circles hit mixed notes. India’s former Davis Cup captain Jaideep Mukherjee said athletes should focus on the game. “It is also not right to join just before assembly elections… the timing is wrong,” he said. Father Gregory Monteiro called the move unexpected but a personal choice, hoping it would benefit the community.
