MCD polls: Nitish campaigns for JD(U) candidates, pitches liquor ban

New Delhi: Launching JD(U)'s poll campaign for the April 23 MCD elections, Bihar Chief Nitish Kumar on Saturday extended support to the demand for full statehood status for Delhi, while advocating liquor ban here on the lines of his state.

Addressing a public rally in North Delhi's Burari, the Janata Dal (United) chief said though elections are held in Delhi, the city administration does not have any power.

"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," he said.

Stating that there is a problem of proper law and order in the national capital as the Centre looks after it, he added that the city government should have control over the police.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has also been demanding full statehood for Delhi since his party -- AAP -- came to power in February 2015.

Advocating prohibition in Delhi and other states too on the lines of Bihar, Kumar said, "When we implemented liquor ban in Bihar, people used to say that the government would have to bear a revenue loss of Rs 5000 crore, but this was a wrong perception.

"Our government's tax collection has not been affected due to the liquor ban. The money which people used to spend on liquor is now being spent in buying milk, food items. And after prohibition, women are also happy," he said.

He said the sales of clothes, stitching machines in Bihar have gone up significantly as more money has come into people's pockets due to liquor ban.

At the rally in Burari, which is dominated by poorvanchali population, Kumar sought to sell his "Bihar development model", saying the crime rates have also come down in Bihar.

Without taking the name of BJP which has been ruling MCD for ten years and AAP government, Kumar said there is no basic facilities such as water, drainage system in Delhi.

He claimed that even villages of Bihar are better than some areas of Delhi.

He said the people know how MCD is working in Delhi, adding that there is no cleanliness in the city.

Seeking votes for party candidates who are contesting on around 100 seats across the three civic bodies, he said, "You have given seen the work of other political parties. You should now give a chance to JD(U) which will work for the people of Delhi."

"In Bihar, we are building pucca streets and providing tap water to every household. I want to do the same here (Delhi)," he said.

Playing the poorvanchal card at the rally, Kumar said Biharis are playing an important role in the development of the national capital, but they do not have political representation.

"The role of Biharis in Delhi is such that if they don't work for one day, the entire city will come to a halt. The people of Bihar living in Delhi should also have a political representation," the Bihar Chief Minister said.

Before addressing the rally, Kumar was greeted by his supporters in Mukundpur, Sant Nagar, Gopal Pur.

He will address another public rally in South-East Delhi's Badarpur area tomorrow.