At junta darbar, CM Arvind Kejriwal's health is a big talking point

NEW DELHI: Chief minister Arvind Kejriwal held a Janta Darbar, first after his naturopathy treatment in Bangalore, on Wednesday morning. His health was the talking point, and people not only discussed their problems with him but also gave him free health tips.

Standing in the queue since 9:30, Mahendra Singh Dahiya had come all the way from Bawana. "It is very disheartening when we see reports of an internal rift within the party. We have come here to tell him that this infighting has to stop," he said.

However, waiting in the queue, people were discussing mostly the health issue. Dahiya said the treatment Kejriwal had gone to Bangalore for was easily available at his village. "Yoga and healthy food are all available in villages. These days people have aerated drinks and spicy and oily food and that's why they are falling ill at such an early age," said Bhagwat Singh, a resident of Said-ul Ajaib. Some even suggested that the CM shouldn't have refrigerated water and "keep an earthen pot on his office table filled with water."

Some health tips were given to him personally even as people discussed important issues like contractual teachers. Around 150 teachers from Guest Teachers Association had come to discuss their problems. "He is looking healthier than before and even his cough is gone. He assured us that a circular from the education department will be sent out. We haven't been paid for months," said Praveen, president of the association.

Then there were people like Dinesh Goel and Riyaaz Ahmed, who had come all the way from Ajmer. "We have come here to give Kejriwal a broom made of silver. It was good to know the party is planning to go national and contest in other states," said Goel.

A delegation of safai karamcharis turned up as their salaries from the corporation hadn't been cleared for three months now. "We will stage a protest outside the corporation headquarters as our salaries aren't disbursed. This is the second time we have come as Kejriwal last time promised to resolve our problem," said Raghuvir Singh.