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Chaos, confusion at PM's first public durbar

Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's first public durbar at his home on Tuesday morning turned into a scene of utter chaos and confusion. As a result, a large number of people had to return disappointed without meeting Vajpayee.

The security cordon was broken as the agitated crowd surged forward when Vajpayee arrived after a one-and-a-half hour wait. An apologetic PM told the waiting crowd that it was impossible for him to meet each one of them today as he had to attend another function.

The crowd, including several handicapped men and elderly persons, then insisted that Vajpayee receive the petitions they were carrying. The prime minister told them to hand over the petitions to his officials. As he was about to leave, people surged forward again, to tell him about their grievances.

The security people had a difficult time controlling the crowds. In the melee, several of them fell down. Some blind people started shouting slogans against the security and other officials.

Even after the prime minister left, the slogan-shouting continued and a helpless team of officials just looked on. The crowds finally dispersed, vowing never to come again to meet the prime minister.

Later, talking to the media, the prime minister said, ''Every day several people come and meet me. Today was the public darshan. All papers submitted by the people will be examined and proper action will be taken.''

Right from the morning, a steady stream of people started arriving at 7, Safdurjang Road as it was known that they could meet the PM without prior appointment.

H D Deve Gowda and Inder Kumar Gujral met the public at the prime minister's official residence at 7, Race Course Road. Since Vajpayee has not yet shifted to his official residence, he preferred to meet people at his current home.

The prime minister met some people briefly before 0930 hours and went out to attend an official function. By the time he returned at 1100 hours, some 500 people had gathered.

Those who had been waiting without being offered so much as a glass of water then expressed their anguish, saying they felt cheated. Apparently, no proper arrangements had been made for the public, some of whom had come from far-flung areas.

UNI

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