Uttar Pradesh, Bihar responsible for Delhi's congestion: Dikshit
May 9, 2007 - 11:22:35 PM
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'I had no intention of hurting the feelings of people coming from other states to settle in Delhi in search of their livelihood. I myself am from Uttar Pradesh,' she told reporters.
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By IANS,
[RxPG] New Delhi, May 9 - Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit created a furore here Wednesday by her statement that migrants from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar were congesting roads and making life difficult in the capital city.
While expressing concern over the rising population due to migration from neighbouring states, Dikshit said: 'People from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh come to Delhi and settle down here. We have no rules and regulation to stop them.'
'Delhi is considered to be the best metropolitan city in the country ... people come, become bureaucrats, politicians and settle down here only,' she said while laying the foundation stone of a new flyover in south Delhi.
'The fact remains that Delhi is one of the best cities in the country. But the burgeoning population and increasing demands are a cause of concern,' she pointed out.
Expressing helplessness over the migration issue, she exclaimed: 'What can we do?'
The remarks angered the Bharatiya Janata Party -, Rashtriya Janata Dal - and Purvanchal Gan Parishad and even Congress legislators and parliamentarians.
'When Sheilaji is herself from Uttar Pradesh, how can she make such irresponsible statements. This is uncalled for. If she is so concerned over the migration issue, she should give her home, land and office to some native and return to Uttar Pradesh,' said Shahnawaz Hussain, a BJP parliamentarian from Bihar.
Said Ramkripal Yadav, a RJD MP: 'The statement is utterly irresponsible. She should either take back her statement else we will force her to do so.'
Nirmal P, president of the Purvanchal Gan Parishad, said the chief minister must apologise to the people of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.
Dikshit later said that she had raised the migration issues earlier and it was the BJP who wanted to politicise the matter this time.
'BJP needs an issue to play politics and they are doing so.
'I had no intention of hurting the feelings of people coming from other states to settle in Delhi in search of their livelihood. I myself am from Uttar Pradesh,' she told reporters.
'If my remark has hurt anyone, I am ready to apologise,' she said.
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