Paralympic gold medalist Devendra Jhajharia gets BJP ticket for Churu lok sabha seat

Para athlete Devendra Jhajharia, a two-time Paralympic Gold medalist, is set to make his political debut as he secures the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ticket for the Churu Lok Sabha seat in the upcoming 2024 General Elections. The announcement came as a surprise inclusion in BJP's first list of candidates for the elections, which also features Prime Minister Narendra Modi contesting from the Varanasi seat.

With an illustrious sporting career, Jhajharia clinched Gold at the 2004 Athens Paralympics and repeated his victory at Rio de Janeiro in 2016, setting a world record. Beyond the Paralympics, he boasts additional accolades including Gold and Silver at the World Para Athletics Championships and a Silver medal at the 2014 Incheon Asian Games. Despite early challenges, including a childhood accident leading to the amputation of his left hand, Jhajharia's dedication propelled him to success, earning him prestigious awards like the Arjuna Award, Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, and Dhyanchand Khel Ratna Award.

In a historic move, Jhajharia has also filed his nomination for the presidency of the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI), positioning himself as the sole candidate for the post. His journey from humble beginnings in Churu district to becoming a sporting icon and now a political figure embodies resilience and determination, inspiring many across the nation.

ये हैं देवेंद्र झाझड़िया। एक हाथ नहीं है। अंतरराष्ट्रीय भाला फेंक खिलाड़ी हैं। पैरालंपिक में दो गोल्ड मेडल जीतने वाले भारत के पहले खिलाड़ी भी हैं।

BJP ने इन्हें राजस्थान की चुरू लोकसभा सीट से टिकट दिया है। pic.twitter.com/ZxpvyubWXq

— Sachin Gupta (@SachinGuptaUP) March 2, 2024