“Oh! It’s Kejriwal,” shouted a pedestrian as an Innova took a turn towards the ridge area from Rajender Nagar’s Nanaksar Gurdwara. Excited at the possibility of catching a glimpse of the “common man” who led his party to a sweeping victory in Delhi, I sped towards the vehicle.
As the traffic approaching the junction slowed down, I peeped through the rear window of the Innova and could see children seated in the back seat and a man sporting a fresh haircut. As I went a little ahead and stopped next to the vehicle, I discovered that it was indeed Arvind Kejriwal whom I had seen only minutes ago on TV addressing his ecstatic supporters and thanking voters.
I waved, hoping to catch his attention and he acknowledged my greeting with a smile. He then rolled down the window and extended his hand towards me. For a moment, I did not know what to tell him. People travelling in other vehicles, waiting for the light to turn green, did not have the slightest inkling that the man who had taken Delhi by storm was in an adjoining car, on his way back home with relatives like any other family man.
We shook hands, and I congratulated him on his great victory, only adding, “It has come with an equally big responsibility.”
The light turned green, and the future Delhi Chief Minister’s small cavalcade — his close friends, including Kumar Vishwas, in another car and some policemen in a blue beacon-fitted SUV — moved on.
This could well be the last time Mr. Kejriwal travels like an ordinary man, before his security protocol takes over. The last time he became Chief Minister, he had refused security cover.
