Shazia Ilmi , former Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader, recently appeared at a BJP event showcasing Prime Minister Narendra Modi`s Clean India campaign. Speaking with Rohit E David , Ilmi discussed why she`s joined this project, why she left AAP — and Modi and Kejriwal`s leadership:

You`ve joined the Clean India campaign — are you also joining BJP?

Well, a few years back, when i founded Awaam and Aam Aadmi Party volunteer groups, there were accusations that i was joining Congress — now, the same people are asking if i`m part of BJP. When i joined Anna Hazare`s campaign, everyone was pointing fingers, saying it was an RSS ploy. People are keen to jump to conclusions.

I feel if anyone is doing something good, we should support it. If there`s something i don`t agree with, i speak against it. If i`m being included in a good initiative, i will be a part of it. If Modi is going to do something good for the country, i`m all for it.

We are the land of Mohenjo Daro and Harappa. We were known for great drainage — now we`re completely opposite. What we have become is embarrassing and horrible. I`m going to select nine women from different walks of life who`ll spread the message to stay clean. They`ll carry litter bags. If they see anyone throwing stuff, they`ll tell them to put it there.

So, i`m part of a cleanliness drive and i haven`t been offered a ticket by anyone. BJP is not even thinking of giving me a ticket.

How do you analyse PM Modi`s leadership so far?

When it comes to certain promises, it`s all very good — but we`ll have to see. The rhetoric, sloganeering and speeches are fine. Now, everyone has to see the substance. India has to see how far he`ll walk the talk.

It`s a different kind of Modi we`re seeing now. His invocation of Mahatma Gandhi is something which i did not expect.

Your thoughts on Arvind Kejriwal`s term as Delhi`s chief minister?

He did a lot — if he had carried on, he`d have done a lot more. Certain things which he came up with, like auditing of companies, were very good measures.

After some time, Arvind stopped listening to people. He got stuck with a group which obviously did not guide him right.

What made you exit AAP?

Earlier, i`d seen a desire for transformation. Towards the end, i saw them balance a lot of election-related issues. The whole connection with people had gone. A small group of people were running the show — even i did not have access to Arvind.

There was always a game being played. No one knew what was happening. Some major decisions, like sitting on dharna with Somnath Bharti and his resignation, were not discussed.

Do you see yourself in politics now?

I will be in public life — i want to make a difference. I have not even thought of joining any party.

I`m getting over what i went through mentally and financially with all my savings spent. I was very disappointed with AAP.

Right now, i have no plans to contest elections.