Paralympian Devendra Jhajharia gets BJP ticket for upcoming Lock Sabha 2024 elections

Devendra Jhajharia is the only Indian with two Paralympics gold medals.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has announced its first list of candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections 2024, which includes the name of Devendra Jhajharia, the most decorated Indian Para Sports athlete, from the Churu constituency in Rajasthan.

Jhajharia, 42, is a javelin thrower who competes in the F46 category for athletes with upper limb impairment. He is the first and only Indian to win two gold medals at the Paralympic Games, having achieved the feat in Athens 2004 and Rio 2016. He also won a silver medal in Tokyo 2020, becoming one of only two Indians to win three Paralympic medals.

ALSO READ: Yuvraj Singh rubbishes claims of joining BJP and contesting Lok Sabha elections in 2024

ALSO READ: Gautam Gambhir leaves BJP, steps away from political ahead of 2024 Lok Sabha polls

Jhajharia has also won gold medals at the IPC World Championships in 2013 and 2015, and a silver medal at the Asian Para Games in 2014. He has been honoured with several awards for his sporting excellence, such as the Padma Shri in 2012, the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna in 2017, and the Padma Bhushan in 2022. He is also set to be elected as president of the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) in the delayed march elections.

VIDEO | Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Here's what BJP's Devendra Jhajharia (@DevJhajharia) said after the announcement of his candidature from Rajasthan’s Churu in the party's first list of 195 candidates. "First of all, I would like to thank PM Modi. It’s the first time that a… pic.twitter.com/j4cZlTh2Oe

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) March 3, 2024

Jhajharia was born and brought up in Churu, a district in the Thar desert region of Rajasthan. He lost his left hand at the age of eight after accidentally touching a live electric cable. He took up javelin throw at the age of 15, inspired by his coach R.D. Singh. He credits his family, especially his wife Manju, for supporting him throughout his career.

Trending Indian Sports articles

• Praveen Chithravel finishes 11th in men’s triple jump at World Athletics Indoor Championships 2024
• India’s Jeswin Aldrin finishes 13th in men’s long jump event at the World Athletics Indoor Championships 2024
• Indian Sports Calendar 2024: Major events to look forward to in March
• Ashi Chouksey, Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar break World Records at India’s National Shooting Trials
• Key takeaways from India’s matches in FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers Window 1
• List of Indian athletes to have secured qualification for Paris Olympics 2024

Jhajharia will be contesting from a seat that has been a BJP stronghold since 1999. The current MP from Churu is Rahul Kaswan, the son of former MP Ram Singh Kaswan.

Jhajharia’s candidature is seen as a move by the BJP to woo the voters of Rajasthan, especially the rural and disabled sections, by projecting a popular and inspirational figure.

For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram