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

Says she is inspired by PM Modi and is joining a party that stands for change and development

Former Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Shazia Ilmi on Friday joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), but said she is not keen on contesting the coming Delhi Assembly elections.

“After being defeated in the last Assembly elections and subsequently in the general elections, I don’t want to fight this election. However, I will follow the party’s instructions; I want my party to respect my wish,” said Ilmi, a long-time associate of Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal.

Earlier on Friday, 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 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. New blueprint of BJP stands for change and development. I was inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi that is why I am joining BJP,” she said.

Meanwhile, on the issue of alleged conversions carried out recently by some groups, Ilmi said she does not support “forced” conversions and that the BJP has 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 BJP saying that she will contest the February 7 Assembly polls.