Bangalore, Mar 5 : Former National Commission for Women (NCW) member Nirmala Venkatesh, who on Monday had criticised the government for sacking her over the Mangalore pub attack probe, joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) today.

She has further expressed her interest to contest the coming Lok Sabha elections, if she is given a ticket.

Terming the rejection of her interim report on the Mangalore pub attacks as a "deep political conspiracy", Venkatesh said, " I am being made a political victim. I am deeply hurt and shocked."

"I am shocked that certain people, whom I do not want to mention, have personal dislike for my honest work and clean image, and are out to settle their personal scores against me in this manner", she added.

A former member of State Legislative Council, Venkatesh was sacked on February 27 for failing to conduct an unbiased enquiry.

Her report on the attacks was not accepted by the Commission due to several inadequacies.`

Venkatesh''s report had blamed the pub owners for not providing safety to women guests and recommended suspension of its license.

She was also criticised for going public with her findings before submitting it to the Government.

However, Venkatesh had defended her controversial report saying that she has the quasi-judicial power and can take suo motu action as per the NCW Act. (ANI)