Street Talk

Nearly two lakh persons living near the plant are still forced to drink water polluted by wastes from the plant. Karim points towards women gathered around a handpump in Atal-Ayb Nagar to collect drinking water. A sign-board at the spot warns: This water is unsafe for drinking.8221;

This does not deter politicians from vying to win their support. 8220;I will make sure that your problems are redressedwithout delay,8221; Congress candidate Suresh Pachauri promised the residents of the locality. Close on his heels came Uma Bharati, who calls Bhopal 8220;a city of my dreams8221;. 8220;I will see to it that residents of the remaining 20 wards in Bhopal are also compensated,8221; she assured.

Vijay Tewari, a PCO owner, scoffs: 8220;It is a ploy to attract voters of the New Bhopal areas which were not affected by the gas leak. The BJP wants to woo them as most residents of the 36 wards declared gas affected earlier are either Muslims or low-caste Hindus.8221;

8212; YOGESH VAJPEYI