New Delhi, January 11
The first-of-its-kind “Janata Darbar” organised by the Aam Aadmi Part (AAP) government outside the secretariat in Delhi today witnessed chaos, forcing Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to leave midway with a promise to come up with better arrangements next time. The attempt was aimed at fulfilling AAP’s pre-poll promise of making ministers and VIPs accessible to the common man.

The government effort might not have yielded the intended results, but the scene at the venue was a clear indication of the people’s soaring expectations from Arvind Kejriwal and his young cabinet of six ministers, who were present at the darbar venue for a direct audience and redressing of people’s grievances.

People had started pouring in at the venue much before the meeting’s scheduled time (9.30 to 11.30 am). As the crowd swelled, many among them broke barricades in an attempt to reach closer to the “aam aadmi” mascot Delhi CM Kejriwal.

The CM was virtually mobbed. The police had to whisk him away from the meeting to avoid any stampede. Later, the CM addressed the crowd from the terrace of the Secretariat and assured them of action on their grievances.

Kejriwal apologised for lapses in the management of “janata darbar” and assured the people of better arrangements next time.

“Due to mismanagement, we could not hear your grievances. We will try to work out things and will resume ‘janata darbar’ in two to three days,” said the AAP chief.