Made to wait for Haryana CM Nayab Saini’s cavalcade to pass amid heavy rains, Gurugram residents stage honk protest

Sumedha Sharma

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Gurugram, August 12

In a display of anger against the incumbent BJP government’s failure to address the monsoon mess in Gurugram, residents launched a honking protest against the Chief Minister today. Commuters, frustrated with waterlogged streets, were made to wait for over half-an-hour to allow CM Nayab Singh Saini’s cavalcade to pass, sparking outrage.

The protesters honked continuously until the CM passed, and videos of the protest went viral on social media. “Look at the government’s audacity. They’ve made Gurugram a civic mess. We’re stuck in floods, rushing to our destinations, and police stopped us for over half-an-hour for the CM to pass. We’re done with this government,” said commuter Raj Bir, who shared a video online.

The sanitation crisis, which marred BJP’s performance in the Lok Sabha elections, is expected to worsen in the forthcoming Vidhan Sabha elections due to the waterlogging mess. With the city struggling with flooding in most areas during monsoons, residents are up against the incumbent government, and many RWAs have announced they will boycott the elections.

“We’re just revenue generators for them. Gurugram gives them 70 per cent of their revenue, and that’s our place in the state. Every year, they spend crores trying to keep waterlogging at bay, and every year, we drown. Gurugram is getting worse than villages in remote heartlands. What’s the point of having a government if this is what we have to bear?” said Praveen Malik of United Association of New Gurugram.

Flash floods in the city, according to many BJP leaders, will cost the party dearly. “People are really disappointed. I’ve got calls from around 15 RWAs since morning seeking help to get water drained from their areas. Majority rebuked the party and asked me why they should vote for us. These flash floods and viral videos will go a long way against the party in the forthcoming elections,” said a ticket aspirant from the Badshahpur segment, which was worst impacted.

Congress leader Raj Babbar criticised the CM, saying, “What kind of CM is this? He was in the city when it was drowning, and what did he do? He didn’t even care to pull up the civic authorities. BJP takes Gurugram for granted. The city issued them a warning in the Lok Sabha, and this flood will drown it in the Vidhan Sabha.”