Nitish bats for his people

'Sheila govt fails to look after interests of migrants'

Claiming that “no government in Delhi will be formed without JDU” after the December polls, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar targeted Sheila Dikshit government on Wednesday for not being able to provide basic infrastructure in several areas inhabited by migrants.

Making strong pitch for Assembly polls, Bihar strongman said the migrants in Delhi ‘will not accept second grade treatment anymore’ and ‘Janata Dal (United) will play an important role in government formation in Delhi’.

“Some people say that migrants are a burden on the city infrastructure. The fact remains that they are carrying the burden of the city. The migrants are so crucial for the daily life of the city, that if the migrants decide not to go for work, the city would come to standstill,” Nitish said. 

“The JDU will fight for the rights of the poor and migrants,” he said at a function to induct Matia Mahal MLA Shoaib Iqbal into the party.

“Colonies with migrant population lack in basic infrastructure like water, drainage, roads and sewage. The condition of the some of these areas are worse than even some of the remote villages in Bihar. The migrant voters will no more accept the second grade treatment and will speak their mind in the upcoming polls,” he added.

Welcoming the four-time MLA Shoaib Iqbal and four other councillors from the walled city to the party, Nitish said Iqbal’s return is like ‘homecoming’. “Shoaib is an old friend. This is not a new party for him. It became difficult for him to stay with us due the nature of our alliance (with BJP). Now things have changed and he wasted no time in returning to the party fold,” said Nitish.

Apart from Iqbal, Aaley Mohammed (son of Shoaib), Khurram Iqbal (nephew of Shoaib), Imaran Hussain and Rakesh Kumar also joined JD(U).

Iqbal won the 2008 Assembly polls on symbol of Ramvials Paswan-led LJP, but switched to Ajit Singh’s party RLD two years later. The councillors had contested the 2012 municipal polls on RLD ticket.

JD(U) national president Sharad Yadav appointed Shoaib Iqbal as the party’s national general secretary.