Delhi: Ex-assembly speaker MS Dhir may join BJP

Agencies New Delhi, November 15, 2014 : A number of leaders from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Congress are likely to switch allegiance to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ahead of the Delhi Assembly elections, sources said.Former Delhi assembly speaker MS Dhir. (Sonu Mehta/HT Photo)Senior BJP leaders said a number of leaders from different political parties had approached them and they were likely to take a decision soon.Sources said former speaker and AAP MLA from Jungpura MS Dhir was likely to join the BJP.“I am not unhappy at the fact that I was denied a ticket, as I had never asked for it. But in the media, AAP leaders have been trying to create an impression that I was not given a ticket on the basis of my performance. I feel extremely hurt. AAP leaders tried to dent my image. As far as BJP is concerned, they are doing a wonderful job under the guidance of



Modi’s leadership. My well-wishers want me to join the BJP,” Dhir told HT.Apart from Dhir, two former Congress MLAs, who had contested the assembly elections unsuccessfully from a reserved seat, have shown willingness to join the party.“Talks are still under way. They are likely to join in the coming days after a meeting with national president Amit Shah,” a BJP source said.The sources though added that despite the willingness of a number of people to join the party, some BJP leaders wanted to go slow and want the central leadership to take a final call.Sources in the BJP said the party lost three previous elections in Delhi as many leaders ganged up in groups. Hence, all efforts were being made to ensure that the party won this time.All officer-bearers and important leaders have been called to 11 Ashoka Road, the BJP headquarters, on November 18 for a meeting with Amit Shah.