Haryana Elections: Former Hockey Captain Sandeep Singh, Olympic Gold Medalist Yogeshwar Dutt Join BJP

The two sports-persons joined the Haryana unit of the BJP in the presence of party's state chief Subhash Barala, just weeks before the assembly polls.

Image courtesy: ANI

New Delhi: Former Indian Hockey captain Sandeep Singh and Olympic medalist in wrestling Yogeshwar Dutt on Thursday joined the Bharatiya Janta Party, weeks ahead of the upcoming assembly elections, in Haryana. The two sports-persons joined the Haryana unit of the BJP in the presence of BJP’s state chief Subhash Barala. In the media interaction following his induction, Sandeep Singh said his decision to join the party was inspired by Prime Minister Narendra 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 was quoted as saying by news agency ANI. Yogeshwar Dutt, who also won gold in 2014 Commonwealth Games, hailed PM Modi for the abrogation of Article 370 and said: "As a youth, I want to work for the nation. PM Modi abrogated Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir, he achieved the impossible. I am very impressed with him. The country is happy after abrogation of Article 370." Singh, an ace hockey player and an ex-captain of the Indian National Team, was seriously injured in 2006 after being hit by an accidental gunshot in 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 paralysed and was on the wheelchair for two years. Singh not only recovered from that serious injury but also established himself again in the team. Though there hasn’t been made any announcement on whether or not Dutt and Singh will contest elections, reports suggest that the party is likely to field them in the Assembly polls.  Speculations have it that Dutt might be given a ticket from Sonepat seat. Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) MLA Balkaur Singh, also joined BJP on Thursday. The Assembly polls in Haryana are scheduled on October 21, while the counting will take place on October 24.