New Delhi / Wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt and former hockey player Sandeep Singh join BJP

Olympic Medallist in wrestling and Padma Shri Yogeshwar Dutt and former Indian Hockey captain Sandeep Singh on Thursday joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Yogeshwar Dutt and Sandeep Singh joined the BJP in the presence of Haryana BJP chief Subhash Barala. Yogeshwar Dutt had also won a gold medal in the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

Ahead of the Haryana assembly elections, Addressing the press conference after joining the BJP, Yogeshwar Dutt said that he decided to join the saffron party as he has been influenced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"I want to serve the people. I’ve been influenced by Modji and hence I decided to join BJP. I’ve been following him for a long time. It’s important to come forward to do good work, including sportspersons. I’m happy to be part of this family," he said.

Yogeshwar Dutt and Sandeep Singh have joined the BJP ahead of the Haryana assembly elections scheduled in October 2019. According to the reports, the saffron party is likely to field the two sportsmen as candidates to contest the Haryana assembly polls.

Reports suggest that Yogeshwar Dutt might be contested from the Sonepat assembly seat in Haryana in the upcoming elections.

The wrestler, who hails from Haryana, had met Subhash Barala in New Delhi on Wednesday and informed that he has submitted his resignation from the Haryana Police.

Yogeshwar Dutt, who won the bronze medal in the 2012 Olympic games, was also in contention for a Lok Sabha ticket from the BJP for recently held Lok Sabha elections 2019. His name was also recommended by the BJP's state unit.

Former Indian Hockey captain Sandeep Singh and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) MLA Balkaur Singh, too, have joined the saffron party along with Yogeshwar Dutt.

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

"I have been following BJP for a long time. I’ve been influenced by PM Modi. I’ve been influenced by the capability and integrity of ML Khattar. I want to serve the nation in every way. I will serve country and party in all earnestness," Sandeep Singh said.

In 2006, Sandeep Singh was seriously injured 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. Sandeep Singh not only recovered from that serious injury but also established himself again in the team.