New Delhi: Boxer and politician Vijender Singh said he had no qualms admitting he paid an emotional price for the decision to switch from Congress to BJP, but insisted he had his reasons to do.
“I just changed platforms, I didn’t change myself. I’m the same guy,” he said.
“Of course, there was an emotional toll,” Singh told PTI in an interview at his residence.
As he spoke about his shocking political switch from BJP, he admitted that the move cost him a few close friendships. But he hopes to find them again by remaining faithful to his “main character”.
The 38-year-old, who is the first and only Indian boxer to have an Olympic medal (bronze in 2008) to his credit, made a boxing analogy to explain his decision which left many stunned. But he exuded confidence that those who feel offended now will eventually come around when they see that he “remains the same man.”
“It’s like moving up a weight class in boxing. You do this when your body is having trouble adapting to your existing category. So, in politics, when I found it difficult to adapt, I changed platforms,” he said.
Singh said he joined the BJP for the sake of the youth and the country. His decision hurt a few of his friends, but he is there for them whenever they need him and they will see his actions, he said.
“I have to prove myself to them and I believe that those who are yours never leave you. Some people close to me in Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh (are upset). But there were a lot of problems,” he added, refusing to identify any specific cause for his dissatisfaction with the Congress party.
“Yes, of course, members of Congress have reached out, but I will talk about that later,” he replied when asked in more detail about the reasons for his departure and whether the Congress party had tried to reason with him.
When a person has a good platform to present their point of view, they should move on, he said.
Singh said his main character and his sense of right and wrong remain the same. He said he would not stop raising his voice against injustice.
He said he was attracted to the BJP because of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision.
“Our Prime Minister’s vision is very good for India. He is the first to apologize when he feels he was wrong. He is not someone who believes in just one thing,” said Singh, an Arjuna and Khel Ratna award winner who also happens to be the first Indian boxer to win a world championship medal (bronze in 2009). .
Prime Minister Modi said that by 2047, India will be a developed country, which is a huge thing, he said, adding that giving a vision like that to a young Indian is huge.
“I hope that all this will come true and that young people will particularly benefit from his projects,” he added.
On whether the BJP has given him a specific role in the ongoing Lok Sabha polls, Singh said: “Not yet.” “(But) I will campaign in Haryana, western Uttar Pradesh and Delhi,” he added, hoping that his presence would help the party consolidate its Jat base in these states.
When asked if he has seen any visible change in the Indian sporting landscape since the BJP came to power, Singh said the eagerness in responding to the grievances of any athlete is what he finds most impressive.
“The sports budget has increased. You (as an athlete) are heard. Just post your problem on social media to get results. Whether it is the Sports Ministry, the Sports Authority of India or Minister Mr. Anurag Thakur himself, they all respond.
“All the demands of athletes are heard, which was not the case before. An athlete has more scope to make his voice heard in this government,” he stressed.
He might have changed parties, but Singh said he would never stop raising his voice on issues he believes in.
“I have already stated that when I feel something is wrong, I will speak to the party and raise my voice,” he said.
When asked why he recently chose to congratulate wrestler Vinesh Phogat on his Olympic qualification, despite her openly criticizing the government for its handling of sexual harassment allegations against the former national federation chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, he replied, “I congratulated Vinesh Phogat as she is my sister. Aage bhi karunga (I will continue to do so). I am above all an athlete and this relationship will always be there,” he said.
Regarding his sports career, Singh said that he trains almost every day. Boxing is his first love and it always will be.
“If I get a chance to represent India, I will,” said the boxer, who plies his trade in the professional circuit but has not been seen in action since 2022.
Singh stopped amateur boxing in 2015, but enjoys following the evolution of Indians. He is concerned about the current situation given that none of the male boxers have yet reached the Olympic selection while there is only one qualifying tournament left on the calendar.
“No men have qualified for the Olympics and I hope that changes soon. I want to take boxing to new heights. I want senior BJP leaders to be involved in this,” he said.
On his relationship with Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur, Singh said, “Our friendship dates back more than a decade. We’ve been through a lot of ups and downs together. »
