In a major strategic move ahead of the 2026 West Bengal Assembly Elections, Indian tennis icon and Olympic medalist Leander Paes officially joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday. The formal induction took place at the party’s national headquarters in New Delhi in the presence of Union Minister Kiren Rijiju and West Bengal BJP President Sukanta Majumdar. This transition marks a significant shift in Bengal’s political dynamics, especially given Paes’ previous association with the Trinamool Congress (TMC).

Paes had joined the TMC in October 2021, ahead of the Goa elections, after being personally welcomed by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. However, his decision to switch sides just before the high-stakes 2026 battle indicates a realignment of celebrity influences in the state. Upon joining the BJP, Paes expressed his admiration for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision, stating, “I want to serve the youth and the future generation of India. Under the leadership of PM Modi, our country is on the path to becoming a global superpower, and I am honored to contribute to this journey.”

With the West Bengal polls fast approaching, the BJP intends to utilize Paes’ massive popularity and clean image to woo the urban electorate and young voters. Being a son of the soil from Kolkata and a descendant of the legendary poet Michael Madhusudan Dutt, Paes holds a unique cultural connect with the people of Bengal. While it remains to be seen if he will contest the elections or serve as a key strategist, his entry has undoubtedly provided the saffron party with much-needed “star power” momentum.