Mamata Banerjee served an ace in Panaji on Friday. Leander Paes, one of India’s most accomplished sportsperson, joined the Trinamul Congress in her presence.

Paes, an Olympic medal winner, Davis Cup record holder and a multiple grand slam champion, had wanted 2020 to be his farewell year on the tour. With Covid-19 putting a spanner in his planned “One Last Roar”, Paes had gradually been getting ready for his life away from the tennis court.

On Friday, he took a defining step towards a new challenge that perhaps caught many off guard.

The boy from Beckbagan is now Trinamul Congress’ latest face. “I was the sports minister of the country when I (first) met him,” Mamata said in Panaji. “I have got my younger brother in the TMC.”

Paes later tweeted: “I live in Goa. I Was born in Bengal, I’ve travelled the length and breadth of the nation. At the end of the day I am a patriotic Indian. For me it’s about doing India proud & to make a difference and give back to my roots. Didi’s vision is to make India, the largest democracy, a successful nation. I’d like to join in and do my bit for every Indian.”

Former national swimming champion, actress, model and politician Nafisa Ali, too joined the TMC on Friday. Like Paes, the 64-year-old Nafisa, too, was born in Calcutta.

Paes hailed the Bengal chief minister as a “champion.” “Mamata didi is a true champion… I come back to my roots to serve all of India,” he said.

“Thirty years ago, when I was a 14-year-old kid, Didi encouraged and enabled me to play for the country. She was then the Union sports minister,” Paes said.

“I am grateful to her for that. In the past 30 years, I have travelled across the world, participated in all international championships… With the opportunity given to me by Didi, I will try to serve people through politics. To me, India is about democracy, and not about a particular caste or religion.”