Sheila's U-turn on 'filthy' Biharis

PATNA: In Bihar to seek votes for the Congress, Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit on Wednesday made a U-turn and denied her controversial remark that Biharis were spreading filth in the national capital.

Answering a volley of questions, Dikshit told newsmen people of Bihar and UP in fact played a key role in building Delhi. "They are always welcome to Delhi. Everyone has a right to come to the national capital," she said.She left the Congress' door ajar for a post-poll alliance in Bihar. "Parinam ayenge, tab dekhenge (We will decide about alliance after the results come)," she said and added the party would ally with a "like-minded party" which BJP and RJD are not.

Meanwhile, Congress general secretary and youth icon Rahul Gandhi will visit the state again on October 30. He will address three meetings at Kahalgaon in Bhagalpur district, Jamalpur in Munger district and Bachhwara in Begusarai district. Party supremo Sonia Gandhi is scheduled to address two meetings at Bhagalpur and Begusarai on Thursday.

Premchand Mishra, president of State Congress's media department, said JD(U) president Sharad Yadav was calling the people of Bihar 'bimar' (sick) and chief minister Nitish Kumar 'faltu' (useless). "It is now up to Biharis to decide whether or not to tolerate a 'faltu' leader like Sharad," he said.