Listening post

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)'s "meet the minister" programme, at which at least one Union minister visits the BJP headquarters at 11, Ashoka Road, from 4 p m to 6 p m to listen to public grievances, has been quite a success until now. The ministers, however, find themselves faced with problems that sometimes seem insurmountable, including applications for jobs and other favours. Several petitioners remind the minister and BJP leaders how they have "contributed" hugely to the party's victory, claims that are mostly exaggerated. But the leadership is taking it in its stride in the firm belief that it was more important that people, particularly party supporters, return with the satisfaction that they at least had an audience with a minister and their problems were given a sympathetic hearing.