MCD election 2017: Nitish Kumar pitches for full statehood status for Delhi

JD(U) has fielded a little over 100 candidates in the upcoming MCD elections. Bihar CM Nitish Kumar has already addressed two rallies in Delhi on April 8 and 9 and held a road-show for the campaigning

New Delhi, April 18: Ahead of MCD polls, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Monday took a veiled dig at the Centre, saying, on one hand there are talks of smart cities, but internal areas of Delhi "lack even basic amenities".

The JD(U) released a video message of Kumar, as he again pitched for full statehood status for Delhi, while seeking support for the party candidates in the fray.

"I went to internal areas of Delhi, and saw lack of basic amenities, like clean drinking water, sewage, roads, power, and I feel astonished.

"Delhi is the capital of the country and everyone takes pride in this city, and everyone has a right over this city. And, the condition of Delhi when I see... There are talks of smart cities but at least Delhi should be made smart," he said.

'Smart City' is one of the flagship schemes of the Narendra Modi government. The MCD has been ruled by the BJP for the last 10 years.

He further said, "As I demand the special status for Bihar, I also support the demand for full statehood status to Delhi so that it has more power."

"Delhi has Vidhan Sabha but it does not have much power in their hands. Law and order is still under the Centre and several other areas of work is under it. The government elected from a franchise are not able to work properly," he alleged.

The JD(U) chief also sought to reach out the Purvanchali voters, while describing Bihari migrants, as people, who have have never been a burden on Delhi, but rather carried it.

"Biharis have been living in Delhi for a very long time. And, initially they came here for labour, but now they are in all walks of life. But, they have never been a burden on Delhi, but rather carried it ('Dilli par boj nahin dala, Dilli ka bojh uthaya')," he said.

Kumar's party banks heavily on the support of Purvanchalis, people hailing from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, and he said, if people give their mandate, his party will seek to replicate the "social transformation" here that has been effected in his state.

"A social transformation is happening in Bihar. Prohibition has had a deep impact and people are feeling happy. I say don't go by my opinion, come and study the changes in the society," he said.

JD(U) is also pitching prohibition as a major poll plank in the civic polls, and has fielded a little over 100 candidates. The three corporations have 272 wards in total.

"If people of Delhi give us opportunity, we will strengthen the efforts of development. We will also work on regularisation of unauthorised colonies.

"Tir nishane par jayega, Dilli ko behtar banayega' (The arrow -- party symbol -- will hit the target, it will make Delhi better). We will make Delhi a better place, where both the rich and the poor will live with dignity," he said.

Kumar has already addressed two rallies in Delhi on April 8 and 9 and held a road-show for the campaigning.

PTI