Chief minister Nitish Kumar on Saturday advocated prohibition for Delhi, the way he has done in Bihar.

Residents of Burari (north Delhi) - an underdeveloped neighbourhood with a large migrant labourer population from Bihar, Jharkhand and eastern Uttar Pradesh, collectively called Poorvanchalis - accorded Nitish a rousing welcome, as he embarked on a road show that culminated in a public meeting, to seek votes for JDU candidates in elections to three municipal corporations. Nitish was mobbed by enthusiastic people all along the route.

He had to alight from his vehicle several times, as people wanted to greet him. The procession kept growing in size and he arrived at Chhath Ghat in Burari for the public meeting a couple of hours later than scheduled. Seeking forgiveness from the audience, Nitish said: "I saw the enthusiasm of people all along the way and had to honour their wish by stepping down from my vehicle. That delayed me."

"I have come here to request you all to make our candidates victorious in the municipal polls. I assure that they will serve you with utmost care," Nitish added. JDU national general secretary K.C. Tyagi, Delhi unit in-charge Sanjay Jha, other leaders and several candidates in fray shared the dais with him.

The JDU has fielded candidates on 101 out of 272 seats that go to polls on April 23. Though 111 candidates had filed nominations, applications of 10 of them were rejected in the scrutiny. The three main players - the BJP, AAP and the Congress - have given more than 30 tickets each to Poorvanchalis. The BJP holds all the corporations, while AAP is in power in the territorial government.

"Four crore people created a world record by forming a human chain across Bihar (on January 21 this year) in support of prohibition. We want Delhi and other states to also impose prohibition... The amount of tax we lose from banning the sale of liquor, people lose double that amount on alcohol," Nitish said to applause from the crowd. He added: "In Bihar, people couldn't buy new clothes. In the past year, the sale of textiles has risen by 49 per cent. The sale of sewing machines has also gone up... The difference in tax collection this year is also small. Crime has slid."

Sanjay Jha said: "Delhi is not just Connaught Place (an upmarket retail area), it also comprises areas like this where there is no power, no clean water and no clean air. Any village is Bihar is 100 times better than Delhi. We (Poorvanchalis) brought them (AAP) to power two years ago but they have done nothing."

Nitish has supported Kejriwal in his constant battle against the Centre. But Nitish supported demonetisation, which Kejriwal and Mamata - considered part of an emerging Opposition triumvirate with himself - bitterly opposed.

Political experts said Nitish was eyeing Poorvanchali voters and had carefully chosen Burari and Badarpur (where he will campaign on Sunday), for its Poorvanchalis living in slums and mohallas with scarce civic amenities.

Nitish's appeal lies in common regional and cultural sentiments. He also may gain a section of Punjabi votes for the successful organisation of the 350th birth anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh.

"Time and again Nitish has been projected as a prime ministerial candidate who can give the BJP a run for money. We can see his present venture as an effort to gain a toehold in New Delhi, the country's seat of power," said a political scientist with a government-owned institute in Patna.

"If the JDU succeeds in the polls, it will act as a shot in his arm for future political manoeuvring in national politics."