The impending Assembly polls has transformed BJP’s chief ministerial candidate Dr Harsh Vardhan into a ball of fire. With just 13 days to go for the elections, Vardhan is a busy man with little time for his family. While he spends most of his time either campaigning or attending party meetings, his family patiently supports him by lending a hand in the tedious journey.
Even at 7 in the morning, Vardhan’s office remains packed with supporters and residents looking up to their four-time MlA for solutions to their problems.
Public meetings and other party work consume over 20 hours of his day, but he isn’t complaining. When asked about his schedule, Vardhan said, “Indeed, things are getting a bit overwhelming now. These days I reach home at around 3 am and by 6 am I am out on the field for a public meeting. This is followed by campaigning, party events and more public hearings. But I am used to it since my medical college days.”
At 11 am, Block 12 in Geeta Colony suddenly was resounding with slogans which caught the attention of many: Dilli shehar ka chamakta darpan, Harsh Vardhan Harsh Vardhan.
Residents peeped out of their windows and verandahs, while the street was packed with onlookers and party workers. With folded hands and a smile, Harsh Vardhan greeted residents as his workers distributed pamphlets and appealed for vote.
“My way of campaigning is very simple and traditional. I walk and go door-to-door to seek blessings of the people. I think this works better than social media,” said Harsh Vardhan.
Besides, it was not just homes that he visited, Vardhan stepped into every religious place of worship for what seemed like praying for a win in the polls.
There were some residents who offered garlands to the CM candidate, others brought sweets for him. Manju Devi (50), a resident of Chandan Nagar, has 28 members in her family all of whom have always supported and voted for Vardhan. “Dr Sahab is a very honest and a respectable man. Whenever we have any problem, we just walk to his residence; he is always ready to help,” she said. When asked why not support VK Monga, Ujjwal, a first-time voter, retorted, “Monga was in BJP, but he recently shifted to Congress. How can a man be reliable if he is not loyalIJ”
Meanwhile, BJP’s CM candidate has found new support from son, Sachin, who is always seen beside his father these days.
“This is a time of great stress and pressure. I want to be beside dad whenever he needs me,” he said. Vardhan has two sons and a daughter, none of whom, he said, are interested in politics. With most constituencies left to be covered by him, Vardhan’s wife Nutan Goel has volunteered to take charge of the situation in his constituency.
“I must support my husband in all ways. It is also the love we get from the people, which makes me feel indebted to serve them,” said Goel, while campaigning in Chandan Nagar.