The Aam Aadmi Party today launched its much-awaited Shukrana Yatra from the historic Kali Mata Temple in Patiala, with all the usual teething problems associated with large political gatherings creating traffic congestion in the city. The Yatra is organized to express gratitude for the party’s recent electoral victories and celebrates the appointment of Aman Arora as the new state president and Amansher Singh, alias Sherry Kalsi, as the working president. It also marks the party’s triumph in three by-election seats.
Traffic Gridlocks in Patiala
When the Yatra commenced with an enormous sea of party workers and followers, traffic jams were reported in and around Patiala. Commuters faced delays because major roads were blocked to hold the caravan. At the major crossings and market stalls, vehicles were held up for hours. The gridlock became worse in the peak hour.
Local residents expressed frustration over the lack of adequate traffic management, while police officials struggled to streamline the flow of vehicles amidst the political procession.
Punjab cabinet minister and AAP leader Tarunpreet Singh Sondh said that the Yatra route is as follows. The procession will begin at the Kali Mata Temple and will go through Sirhind, Mandi Gobindgarh, Khanna, Doraha, Ludhiana, Ladowal Toll Plaza, Phillaur, Jalandhar and Kartarpur Sahib. In Amritsar, it will be taken to the Golden Temple, Durgiana Temple, and Valmiki Ram Teerth Temple for the culmination.
Speaking on the occasion, Sondh said, “This is our way of thanking the people of Punjab for their trust in the AAP. The recent electoral mandate reflects the public’s approval of our government’s work over the past two and a half years.”
He further elaborated that the success marks the emergence of common citizens into leadership positions that shook the barriers of traditional political hierarchies. “Those who thought their dominance was unshakable have been taught a lesson. The people have shown that ordinary people can also become MLAs and represent their communities,” Sondh said.
The AAP leaders, such as Punjab President Aman Arora, asked everyone to come in large numbers to join the Yatra. They simultaneously sought cooperation from the public so that the procession causes minimal inconvenience.
Traffic snarls apart, the Shukrana Yatra will finally wind up in Amritsar, but it shall prove a big moment in the history of the party and for its devotees.
