...says former AAP member Shazia Ilmi on her prospects of joining a national party
Once a prominent face of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Shazia Ilmi has been singing praises of prime minister Narendra Modi. An admirer of Modi's vision for the country, Ilmi is of the view that even the Muslims who have been apprehensive of the BJP's style of politics are now seriously analyzing Modi's working style.
"A rumbling is certainly taking place amongst the Muslim community. With Modi around, gradually we will see a shift in attitudes of the Muslims," she says.
After having quit the AAP in May, Ilmi has been sharing proximity with the BJP. She has also been closely associated with the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan and has been nominated as one of the crusaders of the BJP. So does that mean she is joining the BJP?
After her bitter experience and a not so pleasant inning with the AAP, Ilmi wants to play the game more carefully this time. "I do not want to be used as a pawn by any political party. Both the BJP and Congress are in touch with me. I will take a decision very soon," she says.
The activist was however quick to add that contesting the elections was not her sole aim. "I have been working with auto drivers, farmers and women in Delhi. I believe in transformation. If I am given space to do good work, I am satisfied," she adds.
But she sees the BJP as a very confident party in Delhi. "Arvind Kejriwal is an underdog whose charisma has now subsided. He lacks the vision for the city and has definitely put off the middle class." But Ilmi still feels that AAP will do well in the slums and the unauthorised clusters of the city.
"He will certainly put up a tough challenge for the BJP, but I doubt if he will be able to retain his seats," adds Ilmi for her former colleague.
Ilmi had quit AAP citing lack of internal democracy within the party. She blamed Kejriwal for being inaccessible and not being open to dissent. "He only talks about problems, but AAP does not has the
solutions and the vision of good governance," she adds.
In Modi, Ilmi sees addressing the two core issues of the Muslims, Taleem aur Rozgar (Education and Employment). Making an indirect reference to the Shahi Imam of Jama Masjid, for whom Ilmi has been extremely critical, she says, "Whenever I visit a Muslim household, I tell the women that instead of blindly following self styled religious godmen, we need modern education and employment. I have high hopes from the skill development program of the BJP," she says.
Ilmi however is critical of the concept of love jihad, but feels that Modi personally has no prejudices towards the Muslims. "PM is talking about inclusive development. He has rubbished the theory of
Indian Muslims joining ISIS. It has gone down well amongst the Muslims," she adds.
While she is keeping her cards close to her chest and is yet to reveal her political plans, the BJP certainly wants her on board. A former AAP member and a crusader against corruption, for the BJP too, Ilmi is certainly an educated Muslim face to be fielded against AAP. Both BJP and Ilmi say that the picture will be clear in a few days time.
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