Sabir Ali was expelled from the JD(U) after he publicly praised Narendra Modi.
, expelled JD(U) leader whose induction led to dissent within the BJP, today asked the party's leadership in Bihar to put his membership on hold until all allegations against him are proved wrong.
Mr Ali sought the setting up of an investigation committee and also offered to "quit politics forever" if it was proved that he had any connection with Indian Mujahideen's alleged chief Yasin Bhatkal, as alleged by senior BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi.
(BJP leader tweets against new recruit, asks is Dawood next)"I have written a letter to Dharmendra Pradhan to keep my membership on hold. I have also asked him to form a committee in this regard and enquire into my case on the basis of these allegations. If they find these allegations true even distantly, I will quit politics forever," he told reporters in Delhi today.
Hours after Mr Ali's induction yesterday, BJP Vice-President Mr Naqvi posted on Twitter, "Terrorist Bhatkal friend join BJP...soon accepting Dawood". Terming Mr Ali's entry into the BJP as a "mistake", he also demanded that the decision be reversed.
The BJP's ideological mentor, the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh or RSS, has also opposed Mr Ali's induction into the BJP. "Sabir Ali's induction has caused great resentment. The party leadership has been apprised of the strong views of the cadre and people against it," RSS spokesperson Ram Madhav tweeted this morning.
BJP spokesman Sudhanshu Trivedi had said yesterday that the induction was done on the recommendation of Bihar unit of the party.
Mr Ali was among the 50 MPs who had written to US President Barack Obama against issuing visa to
Narendra Modi in July last year. He was recently expelled from the Janata Dal (United) or JD(U) by Bihar Chief Minister
Nitish Kumar after he publicly praised Mr Modi, who tenants a long-running feud with the Bihar chief minister.
Sources say he switched to the BJP as he was upset because he was among three MPs who were not re-nominated by the party to the Rajya Sabha; their term expires next month.