It was Brand Kejriwal at the show of strength of AAP government

NEW DELHI: The first show of strength of the AAP government at Talkatora Stadium was pitched all the way as “Brand Kejriwal“. From the launch of the helpline to slogans and theme of the hoardings, the CM firmly remained the face of the promise for systemic change.

For the over 6,000-strong crowd expectations from the new government remain high. People came seeking real-time solutions to corruption and issues linked to daily needs like water, power and ration. There were many people who came with complaints and some carried files detailing correspondence of their grievances.

The VIP entry banners at the gate and the presence of crowd managers in black Tshirts seen as bouncers, but cited as AAP volunteers by organizers, evoked criticism from opposition parties like Congress. AAP members refused to comment on the matter and government authorities said that Delhi Police mans the external security .However, no one was willing to confirm that these were not hired bouncers.

Even as Kejriwal mesmerized the crowd with his words and charmed the aam aadmi by sharing anecdotes, the pictures that emerged at the end was that AAP begins and ends with Kejriwal.Though deputy CM Manish Sisodia and cabinet colleagues were also on the dais, the screen in the backdrop flashed a larger than life image of Kejriwal smiling out at the crowd. Sisodia's photograph was placed besides the CM's projecting him as the dedicated lieutenant.

Many in the crowd wore AAP caps with the slogan of `Paanch Saal Kejriwal'. Shivaji Dasgupta from Patparganj, a private consultant, said, “I am here because I hope for change.“ Sher Singh, an auto driver from Sultanpur Majra, cited how corruption was not history yet and he came across people taking bribe at various offices. “I hope the helpline works,“ he said.

However, the crowds had some who were transported to the venue by the area MLA.Women from a slum cluster in north Delhi admitted that the MLA brought them and had no clue about the issue.