On Friday, the Congress party announced its plan to create a dedicated ministry and allocate a separate budget for the welfare of Poorvanchalis in Delhi, should it come to power in the upcoming assembly elections.

Congress leaders criticised the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) for allegedly ruining Delhi's once world-class infrastructure, claiming it has been reduced to a state of disrepair and plagued by garbage issues. They further accused the AAP government of corruption, alleging mismanagement amounting to Rs 382 crore in the healthcare sector.

Speaking to reporters at the Delhi Congress office, Akhilesh Prasad Singh, the party's Bihar unit president and a former Union minister, emphasised the significant contribution of Poorvanchalis to Delhi's transformation into a world-class city. He stressed that their efforts have been just as instrumental as those of other residents in the capital.

"Today, we want to make two important announcements. There will be a separate ministry and a separate budget for the people of Poorvanchalis if the Congress is elected to power in the upcoming polls so that issues related to their health and education can be addressed," Akhilesh Prasad Singh conveyed.

In Delhi, residents hailing from eastern Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Jharkhand are commonly referred to as Poorvanchalis. This community forms a significant portion of the electorate and has the potential to influence election outcomes in several constituencies. As a result, political parties like the Congress, BJP and AAP actively seek their support during election campaigns.

Congress leader Supriya Shrinate highlighted the contributions of Poorvanchalis, noting that they have played a key role in developing regions across the country. However, she expressed concern that their rights are often neglected, and they face unfair treatment.

Delhi is set to vote on February 5, with the counting of votes scheduled for February 8.