Sabir Ali, a former confidant of JD (U)'s Nitish Kumar, who was expelled for making comments in favour of BJP's prime ministerial nominee Narendra Modi joined the BJP on Friday. Speaking about his decision to join the saffron party, Mr. Ali said Mr. Modi is the “most capable” person to lead the country. “I am confident that Mr. Modi is the most capable and competent candidate to be the Prime Minister. The minorities, poor, and deprived will benefit from his leadership,” he said.
He is the second JD (U) MP to join the party. Earlier, N. K. Singh, another Nitish Kumar confidant, also joined the BJP. The JD (U) had declined to re-nominate Mr. Singh to the Rajya Sabha as his term ends soon. Mr. Ali was JD (U)'s candidate from Sheohar constituency for the Lok Sabha elections before the party withdrew his candidature following his praise for Mr. Modi. He was also part of Ram Vilas Paswan-led LJP before joining the JD (U).