New Delhi: The ongoing tussle between Delhi BJP president Manoj Tiwari and Union minister Vijay Goel over the slums in the national capital may surface again. BJP president Amit Shah is set to visit the slums on Saturday as part of Mr Tiwari’s campaign to connect with the slum dwellers in Delhi a day after Mr Goel’s slum marathon which is scheduled for Friday. While Mr Tiwari has already launched a “reality check” campaign with his ‘slum stay’ on New Year’s Eve, on May 16 Mr Goel has announced ‘Adopt A Slum’ campaign by Nehru Yuva Kendra under his ministry of youth affairs and sports.
Mr Tiwari told this newspaper that Mr Shah will be visiting one of the slum areas in the national capital where he is to interact with the residents.
“Mr Shah will directly interact with the slum dwellers and lend an ear to their problem. Based on his interaction with the residents, Mr Shah advised the Union government to frame policies to provide them a pucca house at the same place on the lines of the party policy, ‘jaha jhuggi wahi makan,’” added Mr Tiwari.
As per the plan, Mr Shah will have lunch with the slum residents. “Our party president will have his Saturday lunch with the slum residents,” said Mr Tiwari.
Mr Shah’s joining Mr Tiwari in the slum visit can be seen as his support to the ongoing tussle between the party state unit chiefs over Union minister Mr Goel.
“Both the leaders, Mr Tiwari and Mr Goel, are showing concern for the slum dwellers but Mr Shah joining the programme of one of the leaders clearly shows who has the blessing of BJP president and the Central leadership,” said a party leader.
According to the 2011 census, over 18 lakh people live in slums out of Delhi’s total population.
