Hema Malini joins BJP

Actress Hema Malini on Thursday formally joined the Bharatiya Janata Party.

Hema, 55, who is a Rajya Sabha member, was inducted into the party by BJP president M Venkaiah Naidu.

"I am joining BJP as I feel very close to its ideology," she said. "I have great admiration for Atal Bihari Vajapyee."

Asked if she was ready to fight elections, she said, "No, I have not decided. If the BJP asks me, then I will think over."

Asked if her husband Dharmendra would come into politics, Hema said, "He too has a great liking for BJP. He would be definitely campaign during the polls, but I do not think he would contest... He is not used to it."