Shazia Ilmi, formerly a prominent face of the Aam Aadmi Party, on Thursday said that she “really admired” the ‘Swachh Bharat Abhiyan’ initiated by the Narendra Modi-led government.
“I really admire the campaign and I would have been involved irrespective of the fact whether it was initiated by the UPA or the NDA government. The BJP is doing something great and as a citizen I think it is a good initiative. Just because Modi initiated it doesn’t make it bad,” said Ms. Ilmi who was previously a bitter critic of the saffron party.
“They (BJP) asked me with a lot of respect and the minute I was given the opportunity I did not even think. I don’t think politics is behind everything. I am involved because of my conviction which is something beyond the party,” she told The Hindu .
She also expressed disappointment over the media giving a political twist to her decision to get involved in the campaign. She also articulated her plans on how she wants to take this opportunity forward.
“I will be carrying out a very specific campaign involving nine women from different areas and backgrounds. I don’t want it to be an elitist campaign. I want to give voice to women who are not very well known. I have already got 3-4 women on board including a safai karamchari and a Muslim activist,” she said.
