PANAJI
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee served a sizzling ace during her first visit to poll-bound Goa, by inducting former Indian tennis star and Olympic medal winner Leander Paes into the Trinamool Congress.
Though born and raised in Kolkata, Paes’ father Vece, is of Goan origin.
Speaking after his induction, Paes said that he had joined the TMC to make a difference to Goa, a place, where his roots belong. “I now live in Goa as well. So my home is here. I was born in Bengal, but at the end of the day, I am a very patriotic Indian. For me, whether it is in Bengal or whether it is in Goa, or whether it is playing at Wimbledon. For me it is about doing India proud and in that, now living in Goa I would like to make a difference in my roots,” Paes told a press conference at a resort near Panaji.
Paes also painted a broad outline of his vision for politics in India, while adding that he was also impressed by Banerjee’s vision for India’s democracy. “For me it is about democracy, it is not about colour, religion, or culture or caste. For me it is a democratic country. For me it is the largest and fastest growing democratic country in the world and I would like to be a part of it and make a difference as I can,” he said.
“India is the largest democracy and there is a great vision that Didi has to make sure that it is a very successful nation that we have,” Paes said.
The Olympian also said that his first meeting with Banerjee was when he was a 14-year-old tennis player with a hunger to make it big for the country and the TMC founder was then the country’s sports minister. “For me, didi is a lady of her word. She may not be a big man, but she is a true champion. My career has been encouraged a lot by didi and that is why I am grateful to her,” Paes also said.
Speaking at the induction ceremony, Banerjee described Paes as her “sweet and cute” younger brother and his presence in the party would inspire the younger generation.
“I am very happy to announce that Leander Paes, he is just like my younger brother. I know him since I was a Sports Minister of India. And I cannot forget those days, Vece Paes, his father. Leander was too small, but he came to be because of his game, sports and all this,” Banerjee said.
“I am too happy that I have got my younger brother, my sweet and cute brother, with Trinamool Congress. It will be very encouraging for the young generation,” she also said.
