After Kiran BJP ropes in ex-AAP leader Ilmi

New Delhi: Adding more women power to its Delhi campaign, BJP on Friday roped in former AAP leader Shazia Ilmi.  

“There is new political discourse in the country & we all must be a part of it,” Ilmi said after joining the saffron party.

Ilmi, however, will not contest in the upcoming polls.

“Don’t want to contest elections, think the party will respect my choice,” Ilmi said.

Reacting on Ilmi joining their rivals, AAP leader Ashutosh said,” My wishes with Shazia, but  this shows BJP has turned into Arvind’s B team, they can’t fight him alone so taking people  who’ve worked with him.”

Earlier in the day, Ilmi met BJP President Amit Shah at his residence. During her meeting with Shah, Shazia was accompanied by BJP General Secretary (organisation) Ram Lal and Delhi BJP President Satish Upadhayay, among others.

“I had a very good meeting with Amit bhai and he welcomed me in the party,” she said after the meeting.

Her joining comes a day after former IPS officer and Team Anna member Kiran Bedi joined BJP ahead of Delhi Assembly polls.

Shazia had also said she will “expose” AAP, and BJP will use the two former associates of AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal against him in the elections.

While Bedi is a former founder member of Team Anna, Shazia contested on the AAP ticket in last Delhi Assembly polls and Parliamentary polls but lost both.She later quit AAP.

Elections to Delhi Assembly are slated for February 7 and results will be out on February 10. 

(With inputs from agencies)