After having decided to form the Government, Delhi Chief Minister designate, Arvind Kejriwal for the first time is set to go back to the people who made him win against political heavyweight Sheila Dikshit by over 25,000 votes.
Having heard people’s woes at his party office in Kaushambi, Kejriwal, on Friday, will visit his own constituency, New Delhi, to interact with the residents there. Meanwhile, addressing a Janta Darbar on Thursday, Kejriwal said that he had no magic wand and solutions to issues could be achieved only through collective effort.
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convener, Kejriwal, is slated to make his first public visit in the posh New Delhi constituency between 5 pm to 8 pm on Friday. He would meet people of Valmiki Colony and Gole Market. The soon-to-be Chief Minister is loaded with expectations of the public. While supporters came from far-flung places to attend his Janta Darbar on Thursday, the issues they posed in front of their leader ranged beyond the usual ones of water, power and sanitation. Some demanded for a body of lawyers for free and swift legal procedures, others tried their best to convince Kejriwal for security cover.
leaving Girnar Apartments, his residence, at around 10 am, Kejriwal headed towards his party office in Kaushambi to address the Janta Darbar. The public meeting had a sizeable group of supporters. But this time, their suggestions and complaints were not only limited to power and water. They put forward the demand to rookie party leader that AAP should form a team of lawyers to fight their cases free of cost. “There are a lot of people who are not able to bear expenditure on legal cases. We demand that AAP should form a team of lawyers who would fight their cases for free,” said Prakash Singh, a lawyer by profession.
There were several in the crowd who were repeatedly requesting Kejriwal to take up security cover offered by Delhi Police. “Arvind, you have become our leader now and we respect your principles. But, you should agree to take security cover being offered by Delhi Police,” said Mukesh, who came from Allahabad. Interacting with those present, Kejriwal said, “This is not my win, it is yours. I know that most of you have come here to congratulate me, but I would say this is your win.” The Darbar had a blend of lawyers, engineers and students who came from Delhi, Rajasthan, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh.
Kejriwal acknowledged their complaints and assured to work toward them. He also invited all the participants to the swearing-in ceremony slated for Saturday at the historic Ramlila Maidan. “I have heard your complaints and suggestions and I would definitely work on them. I invite you to participate in the swearing-in ceremony. It is your day.” On Wednesday too, the AAP convener had held a similar Janta Darbar at his office to listen to people air their grievances and suggestions.
Meanwhile, on Thursday morning Kejriwal yet again turned down Ghaziabad SSP, Dharmendra Singh’s request for taking security cover. “We came here to provide security to Arvind Kejriwal, but he asked us to leave and said he doesn’t need any security cover,” said a constable, who was deployed by the Ghaziabad SSP outside Kejriwal’s residence. Singh had deployed five UP Police personnel outside Kejriwal’s house for his protection. Former Chief Secretary of Maharashtra RC Behar also visited Kejriwal the same day. He is the advisor of the party’s idea of Swaraj.