'Will be joining BJP very soon': Shazia Ilmi

Former Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Shazia Ilmi, who met Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Amit Shah here on Friday, said that she would be joining the saffron party very soon.

"I had a very good meeting with Amit bhai (Amit Shah) and he welcomed me in the party and I will be joining the party soon," Ilmi said.

Delhi BJP chief Satish Upadhyay confirmed the development in this regard and said that a formal announcement would be made later in the day.

"She has met our national party president Amit Shah ji and we will do a press conference at 3 (pm) at the state headquarters," Upadhyay said.

Ilmi had earlier in the day said that Delhi would get a new direction with former IPS officer Kiran Bedi joining the BJP.

"Kiran Bedi joining the party will bring in new energy. I have experience of her administrative skills and everyone is aware of her. So, this will create a positive energy around and I feel that Delhi will get a new direction with her," Ilmi said.

"People are saying it is a masterstroke, I had an idea about this, and individually as a person I am happy for her," she added.

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