UP CM holds janata darbar

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A crowd outside Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav’s residence during the janata darbar in Lucknow on Wednesday. — PTI

They came with hope in their eyes and their stories of distress written on pieces of paper. Most of them had years of pain behind them and a glimmer of relief in front.
The first “janata darbar”, hosted by UP chief minister Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday, was his first and direct interaction with the people after assuming power, a month ago.
The media, for unexplained reasons, was banned from covering the event.
Over 5,000 people from Bareilly to Ballia thronged the 5, Kalidas Marg residence of the chief minister since early morning to get in a word with the chief minister himself.
A canopy was erected outside the chief minister’s bungalow to provide protection from the sun to the thousands who had lined up but the eagerness to get in, caused mini-stampedes several times during the morning.
Vidya Devi, 90, came from Triveni Nagar in Lucknow with her tale of woe. Widowed at the age of 18, she lived in her five-room house till last year when a local student leader, Reshu Singh, duped her into giving her thumb impression on papers that he claimed were for old age pension. The papers were actually for transfer of her house in his name.
“I used to give four rooms on rent and would subsist on the money. But now I live in the verandah of a nearby power station because Reshu Singh has thrown me out of my house,” she said as tears rolled down the creases of the wrinkles on her face.
Vidya Devi is hopeful that the chief minister would get her back her home so that she can die peacefully.
Aisha Khatoon , a safai karamchari, came to seek financial help for the marriage of her eldest daughter. She has five daughters and wants the government to help her financially in getting them married.
Gauz Khan came from Bareilly, leading a delegation of about 70 farmers who had been denied compensation even though their land had been acquired.
Sunita Kashyap came from Gorakhpur to seek financial help for the treatment of her daughter who has been diagnosed with a congenital heart condition.
Raghuvir came from Kaushambi to seek justice — his parents were murdered a year ago and the police refuse to arrest the culprits who are now threatening to kill him as well.
A large number of Samajwadi Party workers also sneaked in to meet the chief minister with their wish list. Among them was Lalita Rathore who came from Aurraiya and wanted to be appointed as member of the State Women’s Commission. Sunil Yadav came from Farukkhabad to seek the transfer of a police official who does not listen to party workers.