Wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt, Former Indian Hockey Captain Sandeep Singh Join BJP Ahead Of Haryana Polls

Olympic medallist wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt and former Indian hockey captain Sandeep Singh have joined the Bharatiya Janata Party on Thursday along with Akali Dal MLA Balkaur Singh. The move comes as a boost to BJP as it comes just days before the Assembly elections in Haryana. The voting for Haryana Assembly Election will be held on October 21 and counting of votes will take place on October 24.

According to reports, both are potential candidates can be fielded in Haryana Assembly elections next month. Yogeshwar Dutt, an Indian freestyle wrestler from Haryana, won a bronze at the 2012 London Olympics and was awarded the Padma Shri in 2013. He also won a gold medal in the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

Dutt said he has long been impressed with the policies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. PM Modi had shown that "good things can be done in politics", added Dutt.

The 36-year-old athlete, who was born in Sonipat, may be fielded from his hometown or Rohtak, according to sources. The state unit had, reportedly, recommended Dutt's name ahead of the Lok Sabha polls earlier this year. The deadline for filing of nominations in Haryana is October 4. The last date for withdrawal of candidature is October 7.

Echoing his view, Singh said he will now serve the country in politics after doing so as a sportsperson.

“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,” the former Indian Hockey captain said after joining the party. 

He was seriously injured when he was accidentally shot in 2006 while on his way to join the national team which was due to leave for the World Cup in Africa two days later.

He was on the wheelchair for a year but regained his position in the team and played in the 2010 World Cup for India.

Singh currently holds a DSP rank in the Haryana Police. The Bollywood film "Soorma" was recently made on his life.