Campaigning takes toll on residents

Avneet Kaur

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Jalandhar, July 6

As the campaigning for the Jalandhar West bypoll heats up, it has become a battle of political prestige, especially for AAP and the BJP. However, residents see the situation differently, describing it more of a headache than an important political event.

Residents say they are already grappling with severe waterlogging on roads after the recent rainfall. Adding to their woes, constant movement of VIPs has exacerbated the traffic situation in the city.

“We are eagerly waiting for the bypoll to end,” said, Renuka, a resident.

“Protests, convoys of the CM, MPs and MLAs and all the associated chaos have made the already congested and poorly maintained roads even more unbearable,” she said.

Ravnoor Singh, another resident, said the bypoll, initially seen as a critical event for political parties vying for dominance, had affected the common people.

“Visits by political figures, along with their supporters, have led to frequent roadblocks and traffic snarls, complicating the lives of city residents,” he said.

He said there was a huge traffic jam near the Sky Lark chowk here yesterday after a minister made a stopover at a hotel owned by an AAP leader.

“Cars of the police and ministers occupied half of the road, leaving minimal space for other vehicles to pass,” he said, adding that he had to wait for nearly 40 minutes for traffic to clear.

Traffic diversions, temporary road closures and protests have become a routine affair these days.

Kamal, a social worker, said: “We hope that our voices are heard. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is in the city and can witness how roads have turned into virtual pools and the poor state of waste management. If there are no changes after the elections, despite the Chief Minister staying in the city and witnessing its condition, then we can expect nothing from any party or politician”.

Hope our voices are heard

Kamal, a social worker, said: “We hope that our voices are heard. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is in the city and can witness how roads have turned into virtual pools and the poor state of waste management. If there are no changes after the elections, despite the CM staying in the city and witnessing its condition, then we can expect nothing from any party or politician”.

Waiting for bypoll to conclude

We are eagerly waiting for the bypoll to conclude. Protests, convoys of CM, MPs and MLAs and all the associated chaos have made the already congested and poorly maintained roads even more unbearable. — Renuka, a resident