Arvind Kejriwal moves out of Kaushambi to a new address in Delhi

GHAZIABAD: Residents of Girnar Apartments are settling into their lives away from the media glare after Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal moved out of Kaushambi to a new address in the capital. A sudden silence has descended on the area, which was buzzing till a while ago. The media, which thrust the place into the limelight, has also turned its attention elsewhere.

Thirty-year-old Ashok Pandey, a local tea vendor, whose cup was full, thanks to the constant stream of visitors to Kejriwal, says his business has dried up after the crowds disappeared. Others fear a spurt in crime when police completely withdraw from the area-a team continues to guard the AAP headquarters in Kaushambi as it was attacked by a right-wing outfit last month.

Pandey, who has been running a tea stall next to the apartments, says the area came alive after Aam Aadmi Party's stunning performance in the 2013 assembly elections followed by government formation. Visitors, along with party leaders and workers, made a beeline for the CM's house and his tea business flourished. "The sales are steadily declining," says Pandey.

According to residents, the area saw regular cases of theft and chain snatching. "After Kejriwal became the chief minister, a number of cops were deployed in the area; no incident was reported last month. We fear recurrence of such cases," said Rajesh Kumar, a local.

Those staying at the apartments got a much-needed breather as the crowds outside the apartment gradually dispersed. The daily rush caused great inconvenience to the residents. "When someone in the society enjoys a celebrity status, it is natural for people to flock to him. We have been very cooperative with them," said a resident of Girnar Aparments.

Some desultory visitors can be seen every now and then as the news of Kejriwal's shifting is still spreading. Banteshwar Singh, a worker at party headquarters, say people keep trickling in with their complaints in the hope of meeting the chief minister.