nVijender Singh, India’s first Olympic medallist in boxing who took a plunge in politics in April 2019 by joining the Congress, switched to the BJP on Wednesday.
Addressing a joint press conference with BJP leaders at the party headquarters here, he praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said the respect for Indian sportspersons has increased in the country and abroad since the BJP came to power at the Centre
“I am the same old Vijender. Whatever I would feel wrong, I would call it wrong. I will call it right if I feel it is right,” said Singh who had been a vocal critic of the BJP and had come out in support of farmers’ protests and wrestlers’ stir, often expressing his views on social media.
A number of leaders have switched their parties ahead of Lok Sabha elections though Singh’s entry into the BJP is among those that may have surprised many.
Vijender joined the BJP in the presence of party national general secretary Vinod Tawde and other senior leaders of the party at its headquarters here.
“I am joining the BJP today under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and party president JP Nadda. In a way it is my ‘ghar wapasi’ (homecoming),” he said, adding “There is a saying in English- ‘Good to be back’. I am feeling very good”.
Singh contested the 2019 Lok Sabha election unsuccessfully from the South Delhi constituency on a Congress ticket. His name was doing the rounds for the last few days as the party’s nominee from Mathura, from where actor and incumbent MP Hema Malini has been fielded again by the BJP.
He comes from the Jat community, which has political influence in a large number of seats in Haryana, his home state, western Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan.
“When we travelled abroad to fight (participate in matches) in the UK, Dubai, Ireland and other places, many times there used to be so many things at the airport. Since the BJP came at the helm under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, it has become easier for us to go anywhere,” Singh said.
The 38-year-old trailblazing boxer had delivered India’s first Olympic and men’s world championship medals back in 2008 and 2009 and joined professional boxing in 2015. Vijender said he would work for the welfare of the people.
Tawde said it was a matter of great joy that Vijender, who has brought glory to the country, has joined the BJP family. “Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, our government has taken many meaningful steps for the welfare of youth and sportspersons in the last 10 years due to which Vijender ji has joined us,” he said, adding it would add strength to the resolve of making ‘viksit Bharat (developed India).
“The BJP will certainly utilise his (Singh’s) strength in Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and all other regions. I am confident that the BJP will succeed in achieving its target more firmly with his joining the party,” he said.
Union minister Kiren Rijiju welcomed Singh into the party fold. “Welcome to the party which loves sports. Brother, you wasted your precious time in a party that has nothing to do with sports,” Rijiju, who earlier held the sports portfolio, posted on X.
The move is expected to help the BJP consolidate votes from the Jat community, which is especially important in Haryana and Western UP. The boxer is expected to campaign extensively for the BJP in these two areas.
Vijender was the first Indian boxer to win an Olympic medal - a bronze - at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. He also won silver medals at the 2006 and 2014 Commonwealth Games and bronze medals at the 2010 edition of the Games as well as the 2009 World Championships.
