BJP clears decks for former AAP member Shazia Ilmi’s entry

NEW DELHI: BJP plans to induct more AAP members in its Delhi team ahead of the assembly polls to deplete the rival party's ranks. Sources said former AAP member Shazia Ilmi is likely to join BJP in the next few days. She will be the sixth one to switch sides in the last two weeks. Sources added that talks are also on with former Vinod Kumar Binny, Raju Dhingan, Dharmendra Koli, among others, to join the party.

When contacted, Ilmi didn't deny the report, but replied saying, "Not yet". On Wednesday, speculation was rife in Delhi BJP office about Ilmi joining the party. The speculation had started after state president Satish Upadhyay nominated her as one of the nine people for Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. Since then, she has attended several events along with BJP members.

Rumours are that BJP might field Ilmi from New Delhi assembly constituency against AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal. Ilmi's induction into the party will come as a big boost to BJP as it will give the party an opportunity to launch a scathing attack on AAP.

In the last two weeks, five AAP members, including Delhi assembly speaker MS Dhir, have joined BJP and the party is going out of its way to wring out the maximum advantage from its newest members. "Most AAP current and former members are planning to join the party and we are in talks with them. Several prominent members will join us in the next few days," said a senior BJP member.

A day after former AAP member Ashwini Upadhyay joined BJP, he was appointed as the state unit's spokesperson. BJP members said he, along with his team of former AAP members, will manage the party's campaign against AAP.

While joining the party, Ashwini had said that he will expose Kejriwal. "There is no transparency within the party. The system is autocratic. Also, the party is not serious about issues like Jan Lokpal and Swaraj, on the basis of which AAP was formed," he had said.