JD (U) MLA Shoaib Iqbal likely to join Congress on Nov 20

New Delhi, Nov 19: Janata Dal (U) leader and five-time MLA Shoaib Iqbal may join the Congress on Thursday, saying his move is to prevent the "division of Muslim votes" in the national capital ahead of forthcoming Assembly elections.

Iqbal, who is a sitting MLA from Matia Mahal, said that he will join Congress with his son Allay Mohammad Iqbal and nephew Khurram Iqbal, both councillors.

"It is important to prevent division of Muslim votes in the Delhi Assembly elections. So, I have decided to join Congress tomorrow at the headquarters of AICC. By joining of Congress, we will present a joint secular front," Iqbal said.

Shoaib Iqbal, who had contested his first Assembly elections in 1993 on a Janata Dal ticket, successfully fought Assembly elections in 2013. He alleged that since Aam Aadmi Party has come into being, minority votes have been divided following which "communal forces" have benefited.

It is important to prevent division of Muslim votes in the polls: Iqbal

"Due to AAP, minority votes were divided in Assembly and Lok Sabha elections and communal forces have been benefited. To prevent such forces, I am going to join Congress," he said.

In the December 2013 Delhi assembly elections, the AAP won 28 seats in the 70-member house and formed the government with the outside support of the Congress that had won eight seats.

Iqbal and an Independent also extended support to the AAP in the assembly. Of AAP's 28 lawmakers, one was elected speaker and another MLA -- Binny -- was expelled for anti-party activities.

PTI