Leander Paes becomes a BJP member. What connection does he have to Bengal?

In advance of the crucial assembly elections in Bengal, tennis legend Leander Paes joined the BJP on Tuesday, prompting a number of inquiries on social media. At a time when the ruling Trinamool has relied on celebrities to enhance its campaign, his entrance is expected to increase the BJP’s star power. 

However, it has also sparked interest in the Olympic medalist’s background and his ties to the state that will be up for election. But few people are aware that Leander is a lad from Kolkata. Although Leander was born and reared in Kolkata, the tennis legend is frequently connected to Goa. Born to a Goan father and a middle-class Bengali mother, Leander is regarded as one of India’s most outstanding doubles players. His parents were both national athletes.

In the 1980 Asian Championship, his mother, Jennifer Paes, a Bengali Christian, led the national basketball team. Many people are unaware that Leandar is a direct descendant of Michael Madhusudan Dutta, a well-known Bengali poet from the 19th century. Jennifer, Leandar’s mother, is the great-granddaughter of Madhusudan Dutta, who is recognized for having sparked a rebirth of Bengali literature. 

The hockey squad that won a bronze medal at the 1972 Munich Olympics included his father, Vece Paes. Leandar’s athletic career was shaped by both of them; at the age of five, he began to enjoy tennis. Actually, Naresh Kumar, who coached a young Leander in Kolkata, was largely responsible for the devotion.

After six years, Leander wants to succeed in the political arena. However, this is not his first time serving in politics. In order to lead the party’s campaign in front of the Goa elections, he joined the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress in 2021. He did not, however, run in the Goa elections of 2022. The Trinamool failed to secure a single seat in the elections.

The BJP’s attempt to refute the Trinamool’s “Bengali asmita (pride)” narrative is a major factor in Leander’s induction. In order to oppose the BJP, which is often regarded as a “north Indian party,” Mamata has made “Bengali identity” and “Bengali asmita” central tenets of her 2026 campaign.The BJP wants to undermine that narrative with Leandar, who was born and reared in Kolkata.

The tennis star currently resides primarily in Goa, where his family has a long history. He is about to embark on a new phase of his political career. Will the “Kolkatar chele (boy)” aid the BJP in overthrowing Mamata’s Bengali stronghold?