Comment on migrants taken out of context for political gain: BJP leader Vijay Goel

NEW DELHI: Under attack for his comments on inflow of migrants into Delhi, city BJP leader Vijay Goel today said his remarks were taken out of context for political gains as he had only suggested facilities on par with the national capital should be provided in states like UP and Bihar.

"My comments were taken out of context for political gains. I only said that if facilities are improved in states like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, then people from these states will not feel the need to come to Delhi," the Rajya Sabha MP said today.

Participating in discussion on Delhi Budget in Rajya Sabha yesterday, Goel had talked about various challenges facing Delhi and said migrants from other states often settle in slums which later become unauthorised colonies.

He had said there was a need to address the issue of continuous migration into Delhi.

Congress has slammed Goel's comments, saying these remarks reflected BJP's attitude towards the people from other states residing in Delhi.

"The comments are totally unacceptable. The comments reflected BJP's attitude towards the people from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh who are staying here," said Delhi Congress Chief Spokesperson Mukesh Sharma.