New Delhi: BJP's vision document for the Delhi Assembly polls has stoked a fresh controversy after it referred to people from the north-eastern states living in the city as ‘immigrants’.

The party promises to protect "north-eastern immigrants" with measures that include setting up special cells in all police stations "for the protection of the north-eastern migrants."

North-easterners living in Delhi are often exposed to racism and complain of poor policing when they seek help.

Congress leader Ajay Maken was quick to point out the mistake. "People from the North East are citizens, not immigrants," he said, adding, "The BJP must apologise."

The manifesto was released by BJP's chief ministerial candidate Kiran Bedi today and promising to address fundamental issues like power, water, health care and the transport system in the capital.

The document was heavily criticised on Twitter.