Voters ask Meira in Reeboks: "So you have come again…"

In the midst of all this, the voters look on. A woman stops washing clothes to see the crowd for just a minute, while her husband continues to loll in bed. The more curious ones come closerand garland Kumar, even as the man distributing them quickly takes some back to give to others.

Through all this the hugging and smiling continues. But the pleasantries being exchanged stop abruptly when an agitated old man in Prem Nagar says, "So you have come again? The last time I saw you here was when you came asking for our votes during the last elections." All the celebrations are put on hold as Kumar defends herself.

"This is a very wrong allegation. I have come here so many times," she says and as if on cue, her party workers start citing the occasions. Before the man can say another word, Kumar’s aides get the procession moving.

After jumping over a few more open drains and garbage piles, Kumar is stopped and asked the same question again. This time, the person also wants to know why the sewer lines in the area are overflowing. Kumar tries to get away with "sab ho jayega" but the woman is persistent. "I told you about this problem last time also. Nothing has happened. We have not seenyou around," she says.

This starts getting embarrassing as it is happening in Prem Nagar and Chara Mandi, both Congress strongholds. Congress workers explain how civic problems are not part of an MP’s agenda but that of the councillors.

"People can’t differentiate between the role of an MP and a councillor. I cannot raise the question of a sweeper not doing his job in a locality. The issues that can be raised in Parliament are different. But despite that I have used my MP funds for this purpose," Kumar explains.

At a meeting in Jhandewalan, Kumar finally gets a chance to talk. Her speech is emphatic. "Last time, I promised to undo all the neglect of the past ten years. Unfortunately, my five-year term has been cut short. Hence, on February 16, I want all the women to go to the polling booths early and vote for the Congress. And tell the menfolk that unless they vote for us they will not get any food," says Kumar. She was very vocal and crowd control became a problem.