Rahul Gandhi meets striking MCD workers, extends support

Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi on Friday met Delhi municipal corporation sanitation workers who are agitating against non-payment of salaries for the past three months and extended his support to their cause.

"I have come here to add a little power of mine to yours," he told striking workers at a meeting at the East Delhi Municipal Corporation headquarters in Patparganj here.

The Congress leader asserted that the striking safai karmcharis (sanitation workers) will have to show their power and strength to get their demands (for salaries) met by the central and Delhi governments.

"I am here with with you... if you want me to sit with you (on dharna), I will sit for an hour, two hours or 10 hours... I have time for you," he said.

Rahul Gandhi also accused the central and Delhi governments of "not showing concern for the welfare of the sanitation workers".

"You keep the city clean... they are not bothered. If you go to the central government, it tells you to go to the Delhi government, who will again ask you to go to the central government... these are all excuses. I am with you... you call me and I will sit with you here even for 10-15 days," he remarked.

On June 9, the Arvind Kejriwal government in Delhi released Rs.500 crore to clear the salary arrears of municipal corporation employees.

Sanitation workers from East and North municipal corporations have been on strike to protest the non-payment of salaries.