Former Indian tennis champion Leander Paes has joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to focus on sports development in West Bengal [1].
Paes' transition into politics aligns with the BJP's efforts to strengthen its presence in West Bengal ahead of the 2024 state elections [3]. By leveraging his international sporting profile, the party aims to use athletics as a tool for economic growth and youth engagement in the region.
Paes officially joined the party on Feb. 20, 2024 [2]. During a series of statements made between Feb. 20 and Feb. 23, 2024, he emphasized the potential for athletic programs to transform the local community. "I want to focus on sports and on the development of West Bengal," Paes said [1].
Beyond local development, Paes is playing a role in India's global sporting ambitions. He has been entrusted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to lead India's bid to host the 2036 Olympic Games [4]. This move is part of a broader strategy to position India as a premier destination for international sporting events.
Paes also addressed the possibility of bringing global stars to the region, specifically mentioning a potential match featuring Lionel Messi in Kolkata. He suggested that different leadership might have accelerated such events. "If Sourav Ganguly had been sports minister, we would have had Messi in Kolkata earlier," Paes said [5].
While Paes praised the vision for sports as a catalyst for change, his remarks regarding the Messi match drew criticism from the Trinamool Congress, which described the comments as a fiasco [6]. Despite the political friction, Paes maintained that sports can serve as a primary driver for social progress. "Sports can be a catalyst for youth empowerment in West Bengal," Paes said [3].
“"I want to focus on sports and on the development of West Bengal."”
The appointment of a globally recognized athlete like Leander Paes to a political role serves a dual purpose: it provides the BJP with a non-traditional candidate to appeal to youth voters in West Bengal and signals India's intent to transition from a sports-consuming nation to a global sports-hosting hub. By linking the 2036 Olympic bid with regional development, the party is attempting to tie national prestige to local electoral gains.
