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‘Disillusioned’ by AAP, Dhir joins BJP

Dhir said he was disillusioned with the AAP after Arvind Kejriwal resigned as the chief minister.

M S Dhir (left) with Delhi BJP chief Satish Upadhyay on Friday. (Source: Express photo by Praveen Khanna) M S Dhir (left) with Delhi BJP chief Satish Upadhyay on Friday. (Source: Express photo by Praveen Khanna)

In the first instance of a senior Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader joining another party, former Delhi Assembly Speaker and AAP MLA from Jangpura Maninder Singh Dhir joined the BJP on Friday.

Dhir said he was “disillusioned” with the AAP’s undemocratic set-up and showered praises on Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The former speaker, who had successfully contested the last Assembly elections from Jangpura constituency, said the country was “progressing” under Modi’s leadership. “India is progressing well under the leadership of Modi who has given a development mantra,” Dhir said.

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Dhir also said he was not new to the BJP. “Before I joined AAP, I was involved with the saffron party. So for me, it is like returning home,” he said.

Dhir said he was disillusioned with the AAP after the party’s national convenor Arvind Kejriwal resigned as the chief minister.

Festive offer

“Kejriwal had one chance to form a government, but the party got emotional and resigned that they should not have done,” he said.”

“I was upset with what Kejriwal and what the party did. Kejriwal hurt the emotions of the masses, which supported him, by resigning. Moreover, the party has become undemocratic. Only a few people take all the decisions. I tried to reach out to Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia but they did not respond. So, I had to join the BJP today,” Dhir said.

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He said that Kejriwal’s “mistake” cannot be forgotten. “Kejriwal admits that he made a mistake but it cannot be forgotten. They (AAP) are now seeking another chance from the people. But, what is the guarantee they will not run away from their responsibilities and leave people in the lurch again?” Dhir said.

Dhir, however, denied that he had joined the BJP to contest the coming Assembly elections on a BJP ticket.

Asked if the BJP would give a ticket to Dhir, state party in-charge Prabhat Jha said the party would take a decision at an appropriate time.
Meanwhile, Rohit Rajpal, a former captain of the Indian Davis Cup team, has also joined the BJP.

“I am very happy to join the BJP which has given me a chance to serve the country again. I am inspired by the leadership of Prime Minister Modi,” Rajpal said.

First uploaded on: 22-11-2014 at 04:07 IST
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