Delhi polls: After Kiran Bedi, Shazia Ilmi to join BJP today

After social activist Kiran Bedi, former AAP leader Shazia Ilmi is likely to join the BJP on Friday. The official declaration over the same will be made at BJP's press conference at 3 pm, today.

BJP leader Ashwini Upadhyay on Friday confirmed about Ilmi's induction into the BJP fold, hence the press conference will be just a formality.

Shazia ji will join our party at 3pm today, will contest in Delhi Assembly polls : Ashwini Upadhyay,BJP pic.twitter.com/AEmLrmPhEG

— ANI (@ANI_news) January 16, 2015

The former AAP candidate from RK Puram assembly seat has met BJP chief Amit Shah earlier in the day.

Now, speculations are rife whether or not the BJP will field Ilmi, a popular Muslim face in the national capital. Several top BJP leaders are expected to be present during Ilmi's induction.

BJP President Amit Shah meets ex AAP leader Shazia Ilmi https://t.co/vNwCFWqlRc

— ANI (@ANI_news) January 16, 2015

Amid reports that Shazia Ilmi may contest against Arvind Kejriwal from New Delhi Assembly seat, the former AAP leader on Wednesday said she will not fight the upcoming Assembly polls from anywhere.

I had a good meeting with Amit Shah ji, he welcomed me in the party, will be joining party(BJP) soon: Shazia Ilmi pic.twitter.com/KzZQkDKVOX

— ANI (@ANI_news) January 16, 2015

In a late night tweet on Wednesday, Ilmi said, "Was invited to speak at the National Defence College. Couldn't take media calls. I am not contesting from New Delhi or elsewhere, calm down folks."

Ilmi's former AAP colleague, Kejriwal, told media persons that Shazia was free to contest from anywhere she wanted in the upcoming polls.

"She is citizen of this country and is free to contest from anywhere she wants," Kejriwal told reporters here. But hours after the press conference, Kejriwal took a swipe at Ilmi by retweeting one of her tweets, dated November 21, 2013 titled 'Hypocrisy, thy name is BJP'. The tweet by Ilmi, who was in AAP at that time, criticises the BJP and the Congress over its funding.

After AAP chief's swipe now, its Ilmi, who quit the party lashing out at a "coterie" surrounding Kejriwal, who has decided to avenge her humiliation. Shazia has reportedly told media persons that she'll soon hold a press conference and expose AAP.

"I want to expose AAP for what it is and I will do whatever I can to that effect," Shazia Ilmi said talking to reporters.

Ilmi, a prominent woman and minority face of the party contested the 2013 assembly polls from RK Puram and lost by a slender margin, had till now maintained her silence over joining the BJP.

OneIndia News