Form of words:
Kolkata: tennis star Leander pace Joined the Trinamool Congress in Goa on Friday in the presence of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
After handing over the Trinamool flag to Leander, Banerjee said the former doubles champion has “decided to pledge her political commitment to us, as we are a secular party”.
Leander, who was born in Kolkata, belongs to the sunny coastal state. His father Vis Paes is from Goa, while his mother Jennifer is from Kolkata.
The tennis star paid tribute to Banerjee and said that their association began decades ago.
“She may not be a great woman but she is a true champion for me. Thirty years ago, when I was 14 years old, Elder sister Encouraged and enabled me to play for the country. She was the Union Sports Minister then,” Leander said.
“I am grateful to them for this. Over the past 30 years, I have traveled around the world, participated in all the international championships including the Olympics and tried to make India proud. I have done my job there, and through my with the given opportunity Elder sisterI will try to serve the people through politics. For me, India is about democracy, not any particular caste or religion.”
Leander said that he was born in Kolkata, but he feels responsible for the whole of India and hence wants to work for the people of Goa in Goa. “I have retired from the sport; I will work under the guidance of now Elder sister,” he said.
Paes, along with former cricketer Manoj Tiwary and veteran footballer Prasun Banerjee, features in the list of prominent players to attend the party.
Apart from Leander, veteran actress Nafisa Ali has also joined TMC in Goa. Derek O’Brien, leader of Trinamool in Rajya Sabha, who has been camping in Goa for the past two months, met Leander and Nafisa.
‘Goa is for the Goans’
Apart from inducting high-profile celebrities, Banerjee also reiterated that “Goa is for Goa”.
“I may be branded as an outsider here, but let me tell you, I have not come here to be your chief minister. Your government will be run by your people,” she said. “I am here to fight the fascist force BJP. I am here to help you. Congress has let you down. I would request you to give us a chance to serve you.”
Banerjee also emphasized that her party stood for secular values. “Trinamool or TMC means temple mosque church, and that is why people with all inclusive and secular ideologies are promising to support us and join us,” he said.
Banerjee also declined to comment on political analyst Prashant Kishor’s remarks. Targeted Congress and said that BJP has come here to stay.
I am here to fight BJP. Why did Prashant Kishor say such things, only he will be able to answer it. He is an ace political strategist,” Banerjee said.
(Edited by Arun Prashant)
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