Ace badminton player and Olympic medalist Saina Nehwal joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday, 29 January, in the presence of Rajya Sabha MP and BJP National General Secretary Arun Singh.
Nehwal’s older sister Chandranshu was also inducted into the party.
“I am a very hardworking and I love hardworking persons. I can see Prime Minister Narendra Modi does so much for the country, I want to do something for the country with him.”Saina Nehwal
Praising the BJP government's Khelo India programme, she added, "I feel good today that I am joining a party that is doing so much for our nation. I get a lot of inspiration from Narendra sir. I hope I can do good for my country."
With over 24 international titles under her belt, Nehwal is one of India’s most popular sportspersons. The former world number 1 is also a recipient of the Padma Sri, the Padma Bhushan, the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna and the Arjuna Award.
The saffron party has attracted a number of sportspersons over the last few years, including cricketer Gautam Gambhir and wrestler Babita Phogat.
(This is a developing story. Details are awaited.)
(With inputs from ANI.)
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