Deepa Malik, Paralympic Games Medalist, Joins BJP Ahead of Lok Sabha Elections 2019

New Delhi, March 25: Deepa Malik, the first Indian female athlete to win a medal at Paralympics games, joined the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday. This development comes just days before the Lok Sabha elections. Along with Malik, Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) MLA Kehar Singh Rawat joined the ruling party. Gautam Gambhir Joins BJP Ahead Of Lok Sabha Elections 2019, Says 'I've Been Inspired by PM Narendra Modi'.

Both Rawat and Malik joined the BJP at its headquarters in New Delhi in the presence of party national general secretary Dr Anil Jain. Haryana BJP chief Subhash Barala was also present at the event. Meanwhile, today is the last day for filing nominations for the first phase of LS polls which will be held from April 11, 2019, on 91 seats across 20 states. Sapna Choudhary Meets Manoj Tiwari; Is She Joining BJP and Not Congress Ahead of Lok Sabha Elections 2019? See Pics.

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"The work that PM Modi has done for women empowerment and his thoughts towards women, is evident. He has put women in leading portfolios, he has also worked extensively for the divyangs," said Deepa Malik at the press conference.

"We welcome her into the party. She is an inspiration for all of us. She has made the country proud," Jain said. Jitin Prasada, Close Aide of Rahul Gandhi, Joining BJP? Congress Leader Refuses to Answer 'Hypothetical' Question.

As the BJP is yet to announce all the candidates for Haryana Lok Sabha elections, Malik is likely considered by the party for one of the seats, sources said. The 48-year-old athlete became the first Indian female to win the medal at Paralympics with her silver medal in the shot put event at 2016 Summer Paralympics, also known as Rio Games.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 25, 2019 04:49 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).