Olympic boxer Vijender Singh joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday, ahead of the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections. Singh, who has previously been associated with the Congress, made the switch in a bid to “serve the people” and “help more and more people.”
The induction ceremony, held at the BJP headquarters in New Delhi, was attended by party leaders Vinod Tawde, Ramvir Singh Bidhuri and Rajiv Babbar. Speaking about his decision, Singh said, “I have joined the BJP in the interest of the nation.”
Singh’s political career began with the Congress, where he contested the 2019 Lok Sabha elections from South Delhi. Despite a spirited campaign, he was defeated by BJP’s Ramesh Bidhuri, who also triumphed over Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) Raghav Chadha.
Prior to his shift, there were speculations that Singh, a member of the influential Jat community, would be the Congress party’s nominee from Mathura in the upcoming polls. The seat is currently held by BJP MP and actor Hema Malini.
On March 30, Singh posted a cryptic message on social media, stating, “Wherever the public wants, I am ready.” This sparked speculations about his alliance with the Congress.
During his tenure with the Congress, Singh had expressed his desire to serve his countrymen. He had thanked the party and its leaders, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, for the opportunity to do so. He had also participated in the Bharat Jodo Yatra in Haryana’s Karnal, alongside Rahul Gandhi.
Singh’s illustrious boxing career includes a bronze medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, making him the first Indian boxer to win an Olympic medal. His achievements also include a bronze at the 2009 World Championships and a gold at the 2010 Commonwealth Games. In recognition of his contributions to Indian sports, Singh was awarded the prestigious Padma Shri in 2010.
However, his sports journey faced a setback in 2012 when he was implicated in a doping scandal. He was later acquitted.
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