AAP's Tiranga Yatra pulls mammoth crowd, causes immense traffic snarls in Jalandhar
Aparna Banerji
Tribune News Service
Jalandhar, December 15
Traffic came to a standstill in the Central part of Jalandhar city today as a flood of vehicles clogged the main streets of downtown Jalandhar, during AAP’s second Tiranga Yatra today. What added to the rush and the bottleneck was hundreds of vehicles brought in from across the state to make the yatra a success. A visibly happy Kejriwal also lauded the enthusiasm shown by city for holding yatra.
While the stretch of road through which the yatra passed wasn’t too long (less than 1 km) – it took place at the very central point of Jalandhar – from the Jyoti Chowk (Valmiki Chowk) to the Nakodar Chowk (Ambedkar Chowk). Hours ago, the police diverted traffic from the Guru Nanak Mission Chowk, Nakodar Road (towards Nakodar Chowk), Model Town, near Civil Hospital Near Skylark Chowk among other areas to prevent huge traffic bottlenecks on the yatra route.
Hundreds of vehicles mobilising support for the yatra – cars, buses, trucks, vans, SUVs, etc. bearing posters of Kejriwal and the promises made by him along with photos of AAP leaders, halka in charges, other district functionaries – remained parked on all roads leading to the yatra stretch – holding up traffic way before the yatra started. Old Baradari Road, Model Town, Nakodar Road (and its nearig stretches), the stretch in front the Gymkhana Club, Red Cross Bhawan, stretches near Jyoti Chowk and Civil Hospital saw hundreds of vehicles bearing AAP signage parked.
Sources in AAP said the party had sought at least 200 persons from all constituencies in support of the rally. Additionally, some supporters mobilised more support, bringing in even more buses. Sources said 10 buses were brought in from Moga alone. The Tiranga Yatra saw a sea of Tricolour hoisted in air and even people in buildings on the stretch climbed atop terraces and roofs with the flags. Sight of Arvind
Kejriwal cut-outs and Tri-colour waving in the air – was all pervading. Beaming with the success of the yatra, Kejriwal congratulated the people of Jalandhar.
Speaking to crowds, Kejriwaal said: “Itni shandaar Tiranaga yatra. Maine bahut saare road shows kiye hain apni zindagi mein. Bahut saari Tiranga yatra nikali hai. Par aaj Jalandhar ke logon ne kamaal kar diya. Aur jitna pyar jitni mohabbat – aaj humein Jalandhar ke logon se mili hai. Main janta tha Jalandhar ke log humein bahut pyaar karte hain, lekin itna pyaar karte hain ye humein nahi pata tha. Jalandhar ke logon ka tahe dil se shukriya. Pura raste log apni khirki pe chat pe tiranga lehra rahe the aur sab ke muh pe tha Bharat Mata ki jai.”
(Such a marvellous Tiranga Yatra. I have done many roadshows in my life, many Tiranga yatras also. But Jalandhar people have topped it today. They have given us so much. I knew Jalandhar people loved us, but didn’t know this much. I thank the people of Jalandhar. All through the way people on windows and roofs waved flags and everyone chanted Bharat Mata Ki Jai.”)
It took over an hour — after the yatra ended — for the restoration of smooth traffic in the city. At Model Town, Nakodar Road, near Lal Rattan Cinema and all stretches — bumper to bumper traffic held up people for a long time. Amidst media presence, Kejriwal skips garlanding Ambedkar statue.
