Hockey player Sandeep Singh joins BJP ahead of assembly elections

In a major boost to BJP, former Indian Hockey captain Sandeep Singh joins Bharatiya Janata Party ahead of the Haryana assembly elections. This took place in the presence of Haryana BJP chief Subhash Barala.

Along with Sandeep Singh, Olympic Medallist in wrestling and Padma Shri Yogeshwar Dutt also joined BJP.

READ: C Vidyasagar Rao, former governor of Maharashtra rejoins BJP

'I’ve been influenced by PM Modi'

After joining the BJP, Sandeep Singh said that he has been influenced by PM Modi.

"I have joined politics as I am impressed with PM Modi. His honesty drew me to the party. Both PM and Haryana CM are doing a lot for the youth. If the party considers me capable of contesting elections then I surely will," he said. 

In 2006, Sandeep Singh was seriously injured after being hit by an accidental gunshot on a train, while on his way to join the national team, set to leave for the World Cup in Germany two days later. He was almost paralyzed and was in a wheelchair for two years. Sandeep Singh not only recovered from that serious injury but also established himself again in the team

Wrestler Babita Phogat had also resigned from her post in Haryana Police last month and had stepped into politics to join BJP. The joining took place in New Delhi in presence of Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju.

READ: Udayanraje joins BJP? NCP denies, calls out BJP for spreading rumour

Shivaji Maharaj's descendent Udayanraje Bhosale will be jumping the ship from the NCP to BJP, ahead of Maharashtra elections. In a big boost to the BJP ahead of polls, the seventh descendant and Satara MP would be joining the saffron party on Saturday in presence of PM Narendra Modi. On Wednesday, Bhosale had met with NCP chief Sharad Pawar, wherein he notified that discussions on various issues were held. However, when the speculations of Bhosale's exit started stirring, the NCP leader Dhananjay Munde had accused BJP of 'spreading rumors' on Bhosale’s split from the party. 

READ: Babita Phogat's Haryana Police resignation accepted as she joins BJP