Mixed emotions on home turf Kalkaji

New Delhi: Kalkaji, CM designate Atishi's assembly constituency and political stronghold, suddenly found itself in the limelight on Tuesday. The constituency, which is a blend of upscale, middle-class and unauthorised colonies, had mixed reactions to the news of Atishi's elevation. While many were hopeful of their MLA finally resolving long-standing issues such as vendor encroachment, parking problems, traffic congestion and poor drainage, others were sceptical about expecting any changes. For them, it's just a change of political leadership.From early morning, the narrow lanes of B Block near Kalkaji market where Atishi resides, bustled with activity. "From media personnel lining up with their camera crews to curious people wanting to see the new CM's house, there was usual crowding here," said a resident of the lane.A smiling Rakesh Khanna, 72, claimed to have seen Atishi's entire career begin from his lane. Saying that history was also being made from the location, Khanna said, "Mahul badal jayega ab yahan ka (Things here will see a change now)."Describing Atishi taking over as CM from Kejriwal as heralding "a new hope" for Kalkaji, Anil Gupta, president, Kalkaji Vyapar Mandal, and the AAP's leader fellow resident in her building, said, "Atishi has been a grassroots politician, hence her becoming CM will see the betterment of Kalkaji." He added that the market association had new hope in Atishi in resolving the long-pending problems of the locality, which he listed as vendor encroachment, traffic jams and lack of parking space".Women constituents received the news of Delhi getting its third woman and youngest CM mostly with delight and enthusiasm. Simran, 50, said, "After a long time, Delhi again is getting a woman CM. It is good for women. Atishi worked for the employment of women even as the education minister and now that she will become CM, we hope that public spaces, including markets and some areas in Kalkaji, will become safer for women."Shyam Verma wasn't too exuberant, however, saying that Atishi assuming the top post might help AAP but not the people of Kalkaji. The biggest setback for his locality, Sukhdev Vihar, he said, was the construction of the waste-to-energy plant. "The plant is located 35-40 metres from the DDA flats and Haji Colony, seemingly in violation of a 2016 manual of the Union housing and urban affairs ministry clearly enunciating that such plants must be located 300-500 metres from any residential area," said Verma. "For years, the residents have been asking govt to relocate the plant because it is causing health problems for residents. But nothing has happened. Irrespective of political parties, issues like these have been pending for long and frustrating the public."