Catching the lawmakers: A firsthand account of getting in touch with MPs of Delhi

New Delhi, 14 June 2022: Democracy they say is ‘by the people, of the people, for the people’. Indeed, this motto from the constitution seems to have lost its relevance in the modern day India, where the mighty lawmakers take pride in being as unreachable as possible.

In order to do a litmus test of how accessible are our elected representatives of Delhi for the citizens, a team of Ten News paid a visit to the offices and residences of each and every lawmakers. While to trying to meet them both as a citizen as well as a journalist, here is an account of how successful the attempt turned out to be.

MP Dr Harsh Vardhan, Constituency: Chandni Chowk
An attempt to meet and speak to BJP leader and MP Dr Harsh Vardhan didn’t yield any result. When we reached Dr Vardhan’s residence, the guard told us that he was not in the city. We also asked for a contact number of the PA or anyone with authority to reach him, but they said it was not under their jurisdiction. We left our card with the guards and were told that they will contact us whenever he is available. No such information has been communicated yet.

MP Manoj Kumar Tiwari, Constituency: North East Delhi
While MP Manoj Tiwari, Member of Parliament from the North-East Constituency exudes the image of a people’s leader, we weren’t able to catch up to him ‘due to his busy schedule’. Although the guards and people were very cooperative and gave us the contact details of his Personal Assistant, our attempts to meet him were stonewalled very politely. When we called him, he was very polite and told us it is not possible to meet MP Manoj Tiwari on that day as he is occupied with meetings and suggested that we can meet him the next day at 10:30 am.
When we were leaving the MP’s premises, the guards advised us to confirm the appointment in the morning as well. When we called in the morning to confirm the appointment, the PA refused straight away stating his busy schedule again.

MP Meenakshi Lekhi: New Delhi
When we reached Meenakshi Lekhi’s residence, we were told that she was travelling abroad on some work. We only managed to get the contact details of her personal assistant. After continuous attempts to contact the MP, we are unable to get through her or schedule an interview with her.

Ramesh Biduri: South Delhi
MP Biduri was also not available at his office in Delhi. When we reached to his office, the security guard told us that he was not available and we should visit after 2 pm. However, he was not there after 2 pm as well. We then asked for the contact of his personal assistant, however, they told us that they did not have the authority to share that as well. So, we left our contact details. However, we visited again a few times but were unable to get through.

Parvesh Sahib Singh: West Delhi
It was yet another unsuccessful attempt. The security told us that the MP was off to some important work. They did not also have the contact details of the personal assistant, so we left our contact number. The following day we visited again, however, it was in vain.

Gautam Gambhir: East Delhi
It was quite easy to get through the MP’s personal assistant. We are in constant touch with the team who are telling us that they will soon schedule the interview. However, it has not been scheduled yet.

Hans Raj Hans: North West Delhi
The North-West Delhi’s MP, Hans Raj Hans was also not available at his office. The security guard told us he was gone for some important work and we should visit the following day. We also left our contact details but when we asked the concerned authority who we can contact. They told us they did not have the contact detail. And when we again visited the next day we were unable to get through an interview.

Narain Das Gupta, MP, Rajyasabha
It was a successful visit. When we reached the MP’s office, we were welcomed warmly and also met the AAP MP. He talked to us and agreed to a live session as well. Additionally, he gave us his personal contact details to contact him directly.

Sanjay Singh, MP, Rajyasabha
When we visited the office of the MP, he was not available as he was travelling to other states. He managed to get the contact details of the personal assistant, however, we were unable to reach him. When we visited again after a few days, he was not available again.

Sushil Kumar Gupta, MP, Rajyasabha
At MP Sushil Kumar Gupta’s office, the MP was not available and we were told that he was not in the city and that we should contact his personal assistant. However, when we reached the office, his personal assistant had just left. We left after waiting for quite some time and managed to get our hands on the office landline. As the people at the office did not have the contact of the personal assistant. With one more office visit, we were unable to secure a meeting with the MP.

With such an experience, it is a point to ponder that if our lawmakers are so distant from the general public and are being so protective about sharing their contact details, than how come are they going to realise the dream of good governance.

Is democracy all about serving people and if they can’t even meet and hear citizens of their constituency, how are they going to resolve their issues? This remains a core are of concern that needs urgent attention.