Induction of expelled JD(U) leader Sabir Ali on Friday triggered angry protests within BJP, with senior leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi terming him as a “friend” of Indian Mujahideen chief Yasin Bhatkal.
He also mocked that Dawood Ibrahim could be the next entrant in the party.
Hours after Ali was inducted into the party with much fanfare as it was seen as a boost to the BJP’s attempts to attract Muslims, Naqvi tweeted: “Terrorist Bhatakal friend join BJP…soon accepting dawood.
Naqvi, a Muslim face and vice-president of the party, said he will convey his protest to the BJP leadership.
Justifying his opposition to Ali’s induction, he alleged that Bhatkal was arrested from Ali’s Mumbai residence some time ago.
He also alleged that Ali’s name had figured in the murder case of noted music producer Gulshan Kumar.
The fresh controversy comes days after the induction of Sri Ram Sene chief Pramod Muthalik in Karnataka. The entry was scrapped within hours after strong criticism from both within and outside the party as Muthalik had been involved in attacks on women in pubs in Mangalore a few years back.
The tweet came hours after Sabir Ali formally joined the BJP at party’s headquarters in Delhi.
Impelled by the angry outburst by the leader, the BJP has decided to reconsider the decision, said party sources.
The open show of dissent by the senior leader would be significant for the party that is already suffering from revolt by leaders like Jaswant Singh, LK Advani over ticket distribution. To give a perception of a divided house is something the party would not want just before the Lok Sabha election.
Sabir Ali, who was expelled on Monday by the JD(U) for praising BJP’s prime ministerial nominee Narendra Modi, has joined the BJP at the party headquarters. “Modi’s policies (in Gujarat) are good and Modi’s work for development is also laudable,” Ali had told the media that resulted in his expulsion.
with PTI inputs