Ulema Council Secretary Shahzad Ali, who reportedly played a role in the Shaheen Bagh protest that started last winter against the contentious Citizenship Amendment Act, joined the Bharatiya Janata Party on Sunday along with other members from the minority community.

Speaking to IANS, Ali claimed he was very much a part of the anti-CAA protest, but refused to share his plan on how he will convince the protesters of his changed stand. State BJP chief Adesh Kumar Gupta welcomed Ali with sweets and a BJP stole.