Nitish reminds Delhi of Poorvanchal power

Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar’s statement on Sunday that Biharis were a “necessity” for Delhi and the capital “couldn’t run without Bihar” had Poorvanchali leaders in the city nodding in agreement.

Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar’s statement on Sunday that Biharis were a “necessity” for Delhi and the capital “couldn’t run without Bihar” had Poorvanchali leaders in the city nodding in agreement.

HT Image

Both the BJP and the Congress appear to be eager to woo Poorvanchali voters ahead of civic polls in the city. The BJP is set to almost double the number of its Poorvanchali candidates — from 22 in the 2007 polls to about 40 this year. The Congress should field at least 30 Poorvanchali leaders, party MP Mahabal Misra said.

“Poorvanchalis are not just voters but also players in politics,” Misra said. There should be five Poorvanchali candidates from each parliamentary seat, he argued.

In the 2007 elections, of the BJP’s 22 Poorvanchali candidates, 17 won.

According to BJP councillor Avdhesh Singh, large numbers of Poorvanchalis live in Kerawal Nagar, Kirari, Burari, Badarpur and Najafgarh.

“There are at least 30 lakh Poorvanchalis living in the city and there are about 50 wards where they are a majority,” he said. He advocated fielding more Poorvanchali candidates.

On Sunday, speaking at an event in Delhi, Nitish said: “Delhi can’t run without Bihar. Biharis are not a burden on Delhi, but are a necessity.”