Arvind Kejriwal’s neighbours in UP pin hopes on him

NEW DELHI: The maintenance staffers at Girnar Apartments, Kaushambi , have virtually metamorphosed into Aam Aadmi Party volunteers. The reception desk at the lift has turned into flat L-403 ’s personal desk with the operator busy telling everyone that entry to Kejriwal’s house is restricted . Even wearing the Gandhi cap is no guarantee that Tejpal Singh at the desk would allow entry.

The guards at the gate are nowadays busy directing people “aagey se right” to AAP’s office. “The party office is not far from the apartments but people keep asking for it. Monday was spent telling mediapersons to go straight and then take a right as they kept halting at the gate to ask for directions ,” said Sandeep, deployed at the housing society. With cameras installed at several points, Singh monitors all of them to ensure that no one gets through the staircase.

The housing society that hosts mostly Indian Revenue Service officials has now become the centre of media attention. Residents are getting used to seeing OB vans and media crew hopping all around the premises. “Since Monday people have been almost camping at the society open area. Cameras are fixed and people aren’t used to it. People keep asking us what time Kejriwal ji’s wife and children come and go. We personally ensure that paparazzi don’t bother his family,” said the guard deployed at the gate.

Vehicular movement inside the compound has become difficult, too, due to fixed cameras, but the residents aren’t complaining; they are, in fact, enjoying the media attention. Neighbours and ‘friends’ at Girnar keep telling media crews their experiences with Kejriwal’s family. The “our kids used to play with their kids”, and “my kids used to go with his kids to school,” have become common.

The whole neighbourhood is happy about the fact that condition of the area will improve. “Some of the roads are broken and sanitation is a problem. But now, the Delhi CM lives here and things will be better,” said Komal Patnaik, a resident of a neighbouring society.

Incidentally, water supply in Kejriwal’s society is erratic and residents buy potable water. Plastic cans line outside the apartments. The water supplier, Sudhir, said, “Everyone at Girnar buys water but Kejriwal ji doesn’t. He has a water filter.”