Patna: Former Rajya Sabha member Sabir Ali's induction in Bhartiya Janata Party has been met with opposition within the party with RK Singh, former union home secretary and party MP from Bihar, criticising the party's move.
An MP from Ara, RK Singh today expressed displeasure over inclusion of Sabir Ali and said, “People like Sabir Ali shouldnt be included in the party, it maligns party's image.”
“We should check people's background before including people in the party. Whoever added him didn't think of party's wellbeing,” Singh added.
Sabir Ali was expelled from Janata Dal (United) in March last year when he praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi in public. He later joined BJP but his induction into the party was met with severe criticism from in and out of the party.
He joined BJP on March 28, but was expelled the very next day after his induction came under severe criticism from within the party, especially from party vice-president Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, who in his tweet had insinuated that he had links with arrested Indian Mujahideen co-founder Yasin Bhatkal.
Ali filed a defamation case against Naqvi, but withdrew it later after the two arrived on an out of court settlement. Asked about his tiff with saffron leaders, Naqvi said he had been working with BJP all along and there were no differences with anybody anymore.
Eyeing a slice of minority votes in the forthcoming Bihar Assembly elections, the BJP last week once again inducted Sabir Ali in the party.
Welcoming Ali, a native of East Champaran district in the state, the Bihar in-charge of BJP 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."
