His detractors may term the exercise as a futile one. But Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy gives himself 70 per cent marks as the success rate of the janata darshans, he held during the last 18 months.
Talking to reporters at the sidelines of a janata darshan, at his home office “Krishna” in Bangalore on Saturday, Mr Kumaraswamy said that most people who had sought help from him had been benefited.
“However, those who approached me at janata darshans seeking government jobs or Ashraya houses might have been disappointed, as I have no powers to allot them the same out-of-turn. But thousands have received medical aid, loans and financial help for self employment”, he said.
He said allotting Ashraya houses comes under the jurisdiction of gram panchayats, while rules have to be followed in government recruitment.  “However, in other cases I have taken on-the-spot decisions”, he said.
Mr Kumaraswamy said he will continue with janata darshans and village stays, even after he demits office as chief minister. “The modalities of the same would be worked out. As chief minister I will hold janata darshans every Saturday, wherever I am till I complete my tenure”, he said.
Irony?
Now call it irony if you like. Minutes after he rated his janata darshan as a success, Vasanth Kumar of Nandini Layout, Bangalore had this to narrate to the chief minister-  Vasanth, a physically challenged person was promised a telephone booth near Kanteerava studio during one of the janata darshan.
He applied for the same with the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike.
The BBMP in turn directed him to the Information department pointing out that Kanteerava Studio came under their jurisdiction. On approaching the information department, Vasanth was once again referred to the BBMP.
After running from pillar to post, Vasanth on Saturday landed, where he had started, janata darshan.