Indian car and bike racing champion Alisha Abdullah joined the BJP in the presence of the party's Tamil Nadu unit president K Annamalai in Chennai on Saturday.
Alisha Abdullah, the country's first female national racing champion, joined the party inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's encouragement for sports, Mr Annamalai claimed after admitting her into the party. "I am very happy to welcome a true sporting icon and fabulous competitive racer today," he said.
Describing her as an inspiring woman who had broken barriers in a sport dominated by men, he said Alisha Abdullah has left an indelible mark in her chosen racing career.
"Inspired by our PM Narendra Modi's encouragement for sports, she joined the BJP today," Annamalai tweeted posting a photo of Alisha joining the BJP and wished her all success.
Elated over being part of the BJP family, Alisha Abdullah said she joined the party because of the recognition and respect leaders like Mr Annamalai and Amar Prasad Reddy, president of BJP sports and skill development cell, have for her.
"I promise to do my best to uplift more women," she said.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
