Patna: BJP leader Monazir Hassan on Monday returned to the Janata Dal United four years after quitting the party in a move being seen as an effort by chief minister Nitish Kumar to reach out to Muslims following perception that the community is upset with his party.
In July 2014, Hassan, a former MP from Begusarai, had joined the BJP, praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision. When he had quit the JDU, he had famously said that he wants to see Muslims with the Holy Quran in one hand and a laptop in another.
Hassan had also come down heavily on Nitish, alleging vested interests had taken refuge in communalism and secularism for their own advantage.
The former MP had also cited neglect of genuine party workers and lack of internal democracy in the party as the reasons for quitting the JDU.
On Monday, however, Hassan sang a different tune, claiming that he was not feeling comfortable in the BJP and everything was "new for him". The JDU, he said, was his "real home".
"Today I am very impressed with the work being carried out by chief minister Nitish Kumar, mainly his Saat Nischay (seven resolves). Nitish Kumarji has given me so much of respect, and I have not come here for any post. I have come here to strengthen the party. I am really happy today that I am back at my home," Hassan said after joining the JDU in the presence of state party chief Bashistha Narayan Singh.
For the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, the JDU had denied Hassan a ticket from Begusarai, instead giving the seat to the CPI. Hassan, who had been a minister in the Lalu Prasad-Rabri Devi regime, was among the first Muslim leaders to quit the RJD and join Nitish in 2004.
Hassan indirectly attacked the BJP, saying Nitish never compromised on secularism.
"Our leader Nitish Kumarji has proved that he has not compromised on the issue of communalism and secularism despite being with the BJP," he said.
Asma Praveen, daughter of RJD MLA Mohammad Iliyas Hussain, also joined the JDU in the same function held at official residence of Bashistha. Asma is a gynaecologist by profession.
