Sabir Ali was welcomed by BJP leaders in Patna today after his re-induction
With an eye on making a dent in the minority votes in Bihar, the BJP today re-inducted former Janata Dal United (JDU) leader, Sabir Ali to its fold, assembly elections are due in a few months from now.
A native of East Champaran district in the state, Mr Ali was welcomed by BJP leaders in Patna. BJP in-charge of state affairs, Bhupendra Yadav said, "Ali has fought much against discrimination towards the minority community and now wants to contribute to the cause further by joining BJP. We welcome him."
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Lalu Prasad's Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) have formed an alliance against the BJP led National Democratic Alliance. The minority community has traditionally supported parties opposed to the BJP.
Mr Ali had campaigned for the BJP during the Delhi assembly elections earlier this year. The Aam Aadmi Party had swept the election winning 67 out of 70 seats.
Earlier in March 2014, Mr Ali was expelled from the JDU for praising Narendra Modi, the then prime ministerial candidate of BJP. He joined BJP on March 28, but was expelled the very next day after severe criticism within the party, especially from party vice-president Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi on his alleged links with arrested Indian Mujahideen co-founder Yasin Bhatkal.
Mr Ali had filed a defamation case against Mr Naqvi, but withdrew it later after the two leaders arrived at an out of court settlement.
Speaking to reporters, Mr Ali said, "BJP is a very big party and my heart is also very big in comparison to any small comment made on me. Naqvi apologized that there was some misunderstanding, misconception and I withdrew the case."
Mr Ali also said that he has no plans to contest in the assembly elections and will do any work allotted to him by the party.