Olympic hero Rathore joins BJP, takes VRS from Army

Ace shooter and former Olympic Silver medalist Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore today decided to take a shot at politics as he joined the BJP after taking voluntary retirement from the Indian Army.

The 43-year-old Colonel entered politics, contending that "I must not back out when the nation is faced with a different kind of threat".

He joined BJP in the presence of party President Rajnath Singh and Narendra Modi, whom he described as a "decisive" leader who should be given a chance to lead the country.

"I know politics and politicians are hated but I still believe in goodness of a heart that has selfless intentions. With the grace of god, I will make a difference," said Rathore who had won Silver medal in 2004 Athens Olympics in Double Trap Shooting.

"For 23 years of my life I have served the nation in war and peace to the best of my ability. I am trained to fight by the finest Army of the world and so I must not back out when the nation is faced with a different kind of threat," he said in a statement.

Contending that he finds "very creditable leadership" at the helm of the BJP, he said the party has committed and strong grassroots cadre.

"India today needs decisive leadership and I see that leadership in Narendra Modi and Vasundhara Raje. Like a general that leads from the front, he (Modi) has galvanised a nation that had forgotten to believe. He deserves a chance, India deserves a chance and I am willing to soldier for India," he said.

Welcoming him in the party, Modi said, "It is not just a membership of the party, but a matter of relationship and member of a family...This is like a blood relation...Devotion towards motherland...and commitment to a party."