JOIN USPromising to expose Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal, former party member Shazia Ilmi on Friday joined the BJP, but showed no interest in contesting the February 7 Delhi Assembly elections.
Delhi BJP sources, however, said Ilmi could be the saffron party’s candidate from the minority-dominated Okhla constituency in south Delhi.
“I have been influenced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision,” the journalist-turned-politician told reporters, explaining why she joined the BJP. Delhi BJP president Satish Upadhyay said Ilmi joined the party without any conditions. “After being defeated in the last Assembly elections and subsequently in the general elections, I don't want to fight this election. However, I will follow the party's instructions,” said Ilimi.
Ilmi told reporters she had had differences with the BJP in the past, but credited Modi’s Swachh Bharat Abhiyan for inspiring her to join the party after a six-month break from politics. She joined the party a day after former police officer and Team Anna member Kiran Bedi joined the saffron party.
“Over the past six months, I have realised that the prime minister is doing a good job,” she said, praising Modi’s remark that all Muslims are patriots. The BJP has a good governance track record and no scams have taken place in the past six months, she said.
Ilmi also said she is a nationalist Muslim, inspired by Modi’s vision of the youth holding the Holy Quran in one hand and a computer in the other.