Leander Paes's Political Move to BJP Sparks Varied Reactions in Kolkata
The decision by Indian tennis icon Leander Paes to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday has generated a spectrum of responses from both the sports fraternity and the Christian community in Kolkata. The development, occurring just ahead of assembly elections, has ignited discussions about the role of athletes in politics and its potential implications.
Sports Community Expresses Concern Over Timing and Principle
Former India Davis Cup captain Jaidip Mukerjea, who coached Paes during his bronze medal win at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, voiced his disapproval. "Personally, I believe sports persons should not join politics. They should try to work towards the upliftment of sports," Mukerjea stated. He drew a comparison, noting, "We don't see too many top-level sportspersons entering politics. If that was to happen, Roger Federer would have been the president of Switzerland."
Mukerjea also criticized the timing of Paes's entry, suggesting it was ill-advised. "Joining BJP just before the assembly elections also isn't proper, I feel. He could have joined a year or two earlier. I think he got the timing wrong."
Other sports figures offered more measured perspectives. Former Bengal Tennis Association (BTA) president Hironmoy Chatterjee, whom Paes succeeded, remarked, "It's completely his choice and I have nothing to say regarding that. I wish him all the best for the future."
Former India player Shivika Burman expressed hope that Paes's political involvement could benefit sports development. "Personally, wherever he joins, it's his choice, I wish him luck. From a sportsperson's point of view, I really hope that if he has a position of power, then he uses that to help make sports better in our country," she said.
BTA COO Sujoy Ghosh echoed this sentiment, adding, "Leander always wants to do something for the Olympic sports. In that regard, I am hopeful this move helps him achieve what he wants. Only time will tell how he can help in developing sports in the state if Trinamool Congress again comes to the office. My best wishes with him."
Christian Community Reacts with Surprise and Cautious Optimism
Paes, previously associated with the Church of Christ the King parish and now a parishioner at St Thomas Church Middleton Row, has prompted reactions from his religious community. Father Gregory Monteiro, parish priest of the Church of Christ the King, expressed surprise but respect for Paes's decision. "This move by Leander is quite unexpected and I never thought of this. However, this is his own choice. I know him personally and his earlier parish was Church of Christ the King," he said.
Monteiro added a note of optimism: "I hope he will help the members of his community and reach their agendas and pleas to the Centre. May be, this will be a blessing for us in the future."
Krupa David, former managing director of Goodricke Tea and a longtime acquaintance of Paes, shared a more critical view. "I am a Christian; an apolitical one. However, I don't condone divisive politics — churches being vandalised, burnt, prayer meetings being disrupted," David stated. "Yes, I am against forced conversions of any sort by anyone. Prosecute surely; but do not persecute. I have known Leander since he was a child and his Dad Dr Vece Paes even before that. All I can say is that I am shocked — what induced him to do this?"
Parishioner Anand Benjamin viewed Paes's move as potentially positive, saying, "Paes has sprung a surprise on me by joining the BJP. I believe that a person of his stature will be able to influence his new party colleagues and make them look at minorities. I believe that his work will make him an agent for maintaining communal harmony in the country."
Another parishioner, Bemvinda Pereira, emphasized individual choice, noting, "As a citizen, I respect when individuals from all walks of life and public figures make their own choices about how they wish to serve. Paes has chosen to join the BJP and it is his own decision. It is for the people to consider and decide through the democratic process."
The entry of a celebrated athlete like Leander Paes into the political arena continues to stir debate, highlighting broader questions about the intersection of sports, religion, and governance in contemporary India.
