My tone, tenor was ironic: Ilmi on her controversial remarks

Ilmi found herself at centre of a controversy over her remarks that Muslims should become 'communal' for their own good

As the Aam Aadmi Party leaders distanced themselves from its spokesperson Shazia Ilmi?s remarks to Muslim leaders saying the community 'should turn communal', Ilmi issued a statement today trying to douse the fire.

Clarifying the controversial remark, the AAP leader said that the comment was made in an ironic manner and taken out of context.

"It is quite clear from the tone and tenor of the conversation that I am using the word 'secular' and 'communal' in an ironic manner. I am shocked to see a statement like this can be distorted and misconstrued as communal or inciting hatred. My party and I have always stood against any form of communalism and shall continue to do so," said the AAP candidate from Ghaziabad in a press statement on Wednesday.

"Don't be much secular. Muslims are too secular and they should become communal. They are not communal and do not vote for themselves. Arvind Kejriwal is ours. Muslims have remained secular for long...Have voted for the Congress and helped them win. Don't be so secular and look at your house (community) this time," Ilmi had said in the 90-second clip that went viral online.

Ilmi mentioned that she pointed to convey that the Muslim community should 'turn to their real-life material interests, the so-called community interests like education, employment, etc.' and that she was making a plea to support a candidate who is a non-Muslim by projecting Kejriwal as the appropriate leader.

Ilmi's statement had drawn flak among senior party leaders and the opposition parties. "I've seen Shazia's clip. She should have not said it. AAP does not believe in communal politics. Our politics is to unite all Indians,' senior leader Manish Sisodia had tweeted on Tuesday.

Bhartiya Janata Party's vice president Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said, "It is very condemnable. There is a conspiracy to spread communal poison among the people. Shazia Ilmi must give an explanation for it. We condemn this."