Driving Naari Programme launched in Chandigarh
New Delhi, Former Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Shazia Ilmi on Friday joined the BJP, but said she was not keen on contesting the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections.
“After being defeated in the last Assembly elections and subsequently in general elections, I don’t want to fight this election. However, I will follow the party’s instructions, but I want my party to respect my wish,” said Ilmi, a long-time associate of AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal.
Earlier in the day, Ilmi met BJP president Amit Shah and its general secretary (organisation) Ram Lal and Delhi BJP President Satish Upadhayay among others.
Hailing a new “political discourse” in the country, she said that it was time to go beyond the politics of identity.
“There is indeed a new political discourse in the country; earlier politics was all about identity. It is time to create a new civil identity.
“The new blueprint of the BJP stands for change and development. I was inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, that’s why I am joining the BJP,” she said.
On the issue of alleged conversions carried out recently by some groups, Ilmi said she did not support “forced” conversions and that the BJP had nothing to do with the matter.
Ilmi joins BJP a day after former Team Anna member and ex-IPS officer Kiran Bedi entered the ranks of the saffron outfit with the BJP saying that she will contest the February 7 Assembly polls.
Leadership crisis in BJP : AAP
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Friday said the induction of Kiran Bedi and Shazia Ilmi into the BJP showed that there was a serious leadership crisis within the saffron party, and added that the Amit Shah-led party had now become the B-team of Arvind Kejriwal.
“Why does the BJP need Kiran Bedi, Shazia Ilmi, all from the Anna movement and friends of Arvind Kejriwal? That shows a serious leadership crisis in the BJP,” said AAP spokesperson Ashutosh.
“They are not left with any leader of stature. The BJP has turned into the B-team of Arvind Kejriwal and they need Arvind Kejriwal’s friends to fight,” he added.
Ashutosh alleged that the BJP needed Kiran Bedi because the ‘Modi Magic’ was on the decline.
“It is the right of the BJP to select anybody as the chief-ministerial candidate. But my question is, has Narendra Modi conceded defeat, has the BJP realised that their trump card and game-changer has failed and the Modi magic is on the wane,” he added.
