Ahead of Punjab Assembly polls Wrestler The Great Khali joins BJP in Delhi

Wrestler Dalip Singh Rana, popularly known as The Great Khali, on Thursday joined the Bharatiya Janata Party at its headquarters in Delhi.

He joined the party in the presence of Rajya Sabha MP Arun Singh, MoS Jitendra Singh and Lok Sabha MP Sunita Duggal. Khali's inclusion into the party comes days ahead of the Punjab Assembly polls.

Punjab will go to the polls on February 20 and the counting of votes will take place on March 10.

"I'm glad to have joined BJP. I feel that PM Modi's work for the nation makes him the right Prime Minister. So, I thought why not be a part of his governance for the nation's development," Khali said at the BJP's headquarter in New Delhi.

Welcoming The Great Khali to the BJP, BJP national general secretary Arun Singh said, "A great wrestler of the world, who has defeated some of the renowned names in the world has today joined the BJP. A son of a farmer, you were an officer in Punjab Police. You have made the country proud and I am happy that you are joining the BJP."

Speaking at the event, Union Minister Jitendra Singh hoped that Khali will work towards strengthening the BJP 'quite like his physique'. "Dalip Singh Rana aka Khali will remain a source of inspiration for the youth in the country. I am thankful to him for joining PM Narendra Modi's vision," Singh said.

The BJP is contesting the polls in alliance with former chief minister Amarinder Singh's Punjab Lok Congress and Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa-led Shiromani Akali Dal (Sanyukt).The BJP will fielding its candidates on 65 seats according to the seat-sharing arrangement with its allies.

(With inputs from agencies)