Kochi: Eminent athlete Anju Bobby George has rejected media reports that she joined the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday.
The news of Anju joining BJP was announced by news agency ANI in a tweet. In a photo tweeted by the agency, Anju was seen holding a BJP flag at a party function attended by BJP Karnataka chief B S Yeddyurappa and Union Minister of State for external affairs V Muraleedharan.
Anju said union minister Muraleedharan is her family friend.
"I used to meet him when Muraleedharan came to Bengaluru. Today was his first visit to this city after assuming office. I went to meet him to invite for the Peravoor Marathon in Kannur to be held in memory of volleyball legend late Jimmy George," she said.
"He asked me to come to Jayanagar in Bengaluru where he attended a BJP membership drive. When I entered the venue, he asked to come on to the stage. At that moment, someone gave me a BJP flag. I was perplexed, but I couldn't do anything. Later, the minister himself clarified that I came to meet him and not to take the membership," Anju told Onmanorama over phone from Bengaluru.
Anju said she has no intention to join any political party. "I will continue as a sportsperson."
Anju created history when she won the bronze medal in long jump at the 2003 World Championships in Athletics in Paris. She is the first Indian athlete ever to win a medal in a World Championships in Athletics.
She was also a columnist with Onmanorama.