Delhi CM's statement 'unfortunate': Lalu

New Delhi, May 10 (UNI) Railway Minister Lalu Prasad today described as ''unfortunate'' and ''injudicious'' Delhi Chief Minister Sheila's Dikshit's reported statement that the continued influx of migrants from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh was straining the infrastructure of Delhi, but called for bringing down the curtains on the controversy in view of her apology.

''The statement of the Delhi Chief Minister is indeed unfortunate and there is no justification for it,'' Mr Prasad told reporters on the sidelines of a railway-industry meet here.

Pointing out that such statements had the potential to create bad blood among different sections of the society in a metroplis like Delhi, the former Bihar chief minister was emphatic in saying that ''Mrs Sheila Dikshit should have avoided making such an unfortunate statement.'' He also said Delhi, like any other city, belonged to all people of the country, and it would be wrong to attribute the woes of Delhi entirely to the migration of people from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.

Mr Prasad, who is the President of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), however, said such a statement could have been a ''slip of the tongue' on the part of the DFelhi Chief Minister.

''The important thing is she has apologised and the controversy should be given a burial without any delay,'' he said.

The issue created a tumult in the Lok Sabha, which was adjourned for the day, with leaders cutting across party lines, condemning the statement.

Ms Dikshit had however clarified that she simply made a reference that migrants from states settling down permanently in the capital put an endless pressure on civic amenities.

Asked about the functioning of the Nitish Kumar government in Bihar, particularly the spurt in kidnapping cases, Mr Prasad said, ''It would be unjust on his part to make any comment on the issue in view of the serious ailment of the Bihar Chief Minister's wife who is battling a cripplinmg disease in a Delhi hospital.'' Mr Prasad said he was keeping an eye on the political situation in Bihar, but it would be unjust to make any comment in view of the illness of the Bihar chief minister's wife.

UNI