As big-ticket inductions go, this one's an ace. Badminton champion Saina Nehwal joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday at the party headquarters in New Delhi. Sources said earlier that she would be inducted today.

Saina Nehwal's older sister Chandranshu has also joined the BJP.

At the joining ceremony, Nehwal, 29, cited Prime Minister Narendra Modi as an inspiration, describing him as a hard-working leader who's done a lot for sports.

"I'm a hard-working person and I like working with those who work hard," she said.

Born in Haryana, Saina Nehwal is one of India's most successful athletes, with both Olympics and Commonwealth Games medals under her belt.

In 2015, she became the first Indian woman shuttler to achieve the World No. 1 ranking. She is currently ranked ninth.

Saina Nehwal's induction comes days before a crucial election in Delhi, which pits the BJP against the ruling Aam Aadmi Party.

It's not clear yet if she will campaign.