New Delhi: The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) got a major boost in the election season as eminent wrestler Dalip Singh Rana, more popular as the Great Khali, joined the saffron party here on Thursday, February 10.

“I am glad to have joined the BJP… I feel that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s work for the nation makes him the right Prime Minister. So, I thought why not be a part of his governance journey for the nation’s development,” he told reporters at the party headquarters.

He is renowned as a Wrestler in World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) and has starred in several films. He had set up a wrestling academy at Kangniwal village in Punjab’s Jalandhar district in 2015.

Khali’s joining the BJP is expected to encourage the party’s much ambitious electoral journey into Punjab politics this year. BJP leaders Arun Singh and Union Minister Jeetendra Singh welcomed Khali into the party fold.

“I have decided to join BJP after being influenced by the party’s overall national policy,” the wrestler said.

Several sports stars and other celebrities have from time to time endorsed PM Modi’s leadership and were impressed with the BJP’s nationalistic commitment and developmental agenda. The voting in Punjab is to take place on February 20.