Shazia Ilmi joins BJP, says 'won't contest Delhi polls'

Former Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Shazia Ilmi formally joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday.

"There is indeed a new political discourse in this country and we must all be a part of it. We must create a new civic identity, we must think of ourselves as Indians," said Ilmi.

"We must move towards positive politics, change the approach of lawlessness and move towards development," she added.

Ilmi said she did not want to contest the elections.

"And, I think, the party will respect my choice and not field me as a candidate," she added.

Delhi BJP chief Satish Upadhyay, who welcomed Ilmi into the party, said the people who have supported them are now joining the saffron party.

"Yesterday Kiran Bedi joined the party and today Shazia Ilmi has joined the party. She was a part of the AAP and she has now joined the BJP. We welcome her," said Upadhyay.

"The people who have supported the BJP are now joining the party, the state unit welcomes them," he added.

Asserting that the BJP is now in an election mode, Upadhyay said: "We will be strengthened by these new people joining the party."

The latest development in this regard came after Ilmi met BJP chief Amit Shah earlier in the day.

Bedi had earlier on Thursday formally joined the BJP, saying she was highly impressed with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'inspirational leadership'.