Leader says 5 more AAP MLAs keen to join BJP

New Delhi: Weeks after Union minister and former Delhi BJP president Vijay Goel claimed that the party is in touch with 14 AAP MLAs, a senior BJP functionary said that five more MLAs have contacted the saffron party to join it in the coming days.

A party leader, aware of the development, told this newspaper that these five Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLAs contacted a BJP party functionary after polling got over for the Lok Sabha polls in the national capital on May 12. It is learnt that these MLAs will take a final decision to join BJP after the announcement of the general election results on May 23.

According to a party insider, these five AAP MLAs contacted a senior Delhi BJP leader after May 12, showing their willingness to join the party and discussed in length their role in the party.

“Our party leader in touch with these MLAs told them that their desire to join BJP will be conveyed to the leadership and they will be inducted once the state unit receives the go ahead from the central leadership,” he said.

Interestingly, BJP is not making any commitment to the AAP MLAs who are willing to join the party. In 2017, BJP committed party ticket for by-polls to Ved Prakash, who switched side during municipal polls.

“We are not offering anything to anyone who is interested in joining BJP. If they are interested in BJP’s ideology and ready to follow the path of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘sabka sath, sabka vikash,’ then we are ready to welcome them,” said the leader.

A senior functionary, who was in touch with these five MLAs, is likely to discuss the development with party president Amit Shah after May 23 to get his approval.

During campaigning for the seven Lok Sabha seats in the national capital, AAP accused the saffron party of indulging in horse-trading.

Reacting to AAP’s allegation, Mr Goel had said: “14 AAP MLAs are in contact with us and they might soon leave the party because they are frustrated by the work of their own party.”