Paralympian Deepa Malik joins BJP ahead of Lok Sabha elections
Noted Paralympian and Padma Shri recipient, Deepa Malik, joined the BJP in the presence of senior party leaders in Delhi on Monday. Ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, BJP asserted Malik's presence will give a boost to the party. She was inducted into the party by Haryana BJP chief Subhash Barala and General Secretary and Haryana in-charge Anil Jain at BJP's headquarters. Here's more.
Along with Deepa Malik, Haryana MLA Kehar Singh Rawat of the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) party has also joined the ruling BJP at the party's headquarters in Delhi. He is the MLA from the Hathin constituency in Haryana.
Delhi: Paralympian Deepa Malik and INLD MLA Kehar Singh Rawat joins Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). pic.twitter.com/H9iqxtQGfC
— ANI (@ANI) March 25, 2019
On joining the Bharatiya Janata Party, Paralympian Deepa Malik said PM Narendra Modi has "worked extensively" for 'divyangs' (persons with disability). She was quoted by ANI as saying, "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'."
Deepa Malik, Paralympian on joining BJP: 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'. pic.twitter.com/veQwVBarST
— ANI (@ANI) March 25, 2019
"We welcome her (Deepa Malik) into the party. She is an inspiration for all of us. She has made the country proud," said BJP National General Secretary Anil Jain. As the BJP has not yet announced all of its candidates from Haryana for the Lok Sabha polls, sources say, Malik may be fielded from one of the Lok Sabha seats in the state.
Deepa Malik won a silver medal in the shot put event at the 2016 Paralympic Games, becoming the first Indian woman ever to bag a Paralympic Games medal. She was honored with Arjuna award in 2012 and then conferred with the Padma Shri in 2017.
