MJ Akbar joins BJP

Author and senior journalist MJ Akbar on Saturday joined the Bharatiya Janata Party, saying he was returning to politics because the country was in "crisis".

Akbar was a Congress MP from Kishanganj in Bihar between 1989 and 1991. He also served the party as its spokesperson during that period.

After joining the BJP, he said that he has returned to politics for its principles and to work to bring the nation back into a "recovery mission", Times of India reported.

"Main Rajniti Me Niti Ke Liye Wapas Aya Hu (I have come back to politics for principle). The crisis in front of the country is known to all. This is an opportunity to do whatever little we can do for our country," Akbar told journalists in New Delhi after BJP president Rajnath Singh welcomed him to the party fold.

"It is our duty to join hands with the voice of the nation and bring the country back to a recovery mission. I look forward to working in the BJP," Akbar was quoted as saying by Indian media.

Akbar backed BJP’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi, saying no other leader has gone through so much scrutiny as him.

"It is not only that there is crisis, but now I also see a solution to the crisis. Narendra Modi's leadership is essential for the country," he said.

"In 10 years, no other politician has gone through so much scrutiny as Modi has gone through. He was scrutinised by police, central government, CBI, court-appointed institution. And those who rake up this issue all the time, I want to tell them to read the Justice (VR) Krishna report (on Gujarat riots). How many people are there in Gujarat who are in jail through the legal system? More than 100. Can one tell me the numbers as far as the 1984 and 1993 riots are concerned?" he said.

Akbar said he hoped that Muslims will join hands with BJP and will come out of the "politics of fear".

Rajnath Singh said "stalwarts" from various fields were joining the BJP. "Now prominent people from media too are accepting membership of BJP to give this country a stable government. Akbar is known to be one of the stalwarts in media and has accepted to join the party. I welcome him," said Singh.