Shoib Iqbal to join Congress, says AAP responsible for defeat of 'Grand Old Party'

Former Janata Dal (United) MLA Shoaib Iqbal on Wednesday confirmed that he would be joining the Congress party, adding that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) took away Muslim votes from the grand old party, resulting in its defeat in the Delhi legislative

assembly polls held earlier this year.

Iqbal added that he has taken that decision keeping in mind the political situation in the national capital. "The discussions were already going on. I will most probably join [the Congress] tomorrow," We have supported Congress earlier as well. We have taken this decision keeping in mind the political situation in Delhi. I am confident that we will give a secular and safe atmosphere to the residents of Delhi," Iqbal told ANI.

Iqbal further alleged that the AAP had snatched the votes of the Muslim community in the national capital, thereby paving the way for the Bharatiya Janata Party's victory in all seven seats in the

national capital in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections.

"The AAP has left Muslim voters disappointed. That is why that party couldn't win even a single seat out of seven seats during the Lok Sabha elections. Instead, they paved the way for the BJP's victory by

snatching away the Muslim votes from the Congress," Iqbal said.

Iqbal further claimed that there was a need to curtail the BJP, and presented the Congress as the force to check that party's ascent.

"If there a party that can fight communal forces in Delhi, then it's the Congress" he said.

Iqbal had been expected to join the Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) party for the upcoming assembly elections in Delhi.

Delhi has been under President's rule since February after the Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP government stepped down after 49 days in power.