India news: Tennis legend Leander Paes joins Modi's BJP
Why it matters: Leander Paes's move could impact the BJP's electoral prospects in the upcoming West Bengal Assembly elections.
- Leander Paes, an Olympic bronze-medalist and celebrated Indian tennis player, has switched political allegiance to the BJP, having previously been with the TMC.
- Paes's entry into the BJP is viewed as a strategic move ahead of the West Bengal Assembly elections, where the BJP seeks to challenge the incumbent TMC.
- West Bengal, a traditionally left-leaning state, is gearing up for elections in April, with Modi's BJP attempting to secure a victory after previous unsuccessful attempts.
Tennis legend Leander Paes has joined Prime Minister Narendra Modi's BJP, a move seen as a blow to West Bengal's ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) party, which Paes had previously joined in 2021. This political shift comes ahead of high-stakes state elections in West Bengal, where the BJP aims to make further inroads.
