A day after “NaMo mania”, it was “Kejriwal’s mania” that gripped the City Beautiful. The much-anticipated roadshow of Aam Aadmi Party’s chief Arvind Kejriwal received tremendous response from the city residents on Sunday. Kejriwal, who was one hour behind schedule, started his five-hour long roadshow at around 10 am in Chandigarh.

Upon arrival, Kejriwal was cheered by hundreds of enthusiastic supporters along with the residents of Hallomajra. Kejriwal, throwing his weight behind party’s Chandigarh candidate Gul Panag, said “Panag is not a celebrity or an outsider, she is a social activist. She has been a supporter of India against corruption movement and deserves to be given a chance to win from Chandigarh lok Sabha seat.”

After his address, the AAP’s entourage moved through their first stop, Hallomajra with volunteers armed with party’s symbol broom and wearing AAP’s trademark caps amid shouting slogans like Bhrastachar ka ek hi kaal, Kejriwal Kejriwal, Paise pe na daru pe, vote padegi Jhadu pe.

The party’s symbol broom was held high by party volunteers throughout the

roadshow.

Kejriwal struck a chord with the residents of colonies and villages here during his five-hour long roadshow. Besides the party supporters, a large number of people were eagerly waiting to meet and greet the AAP leader at various places and no one seemed to be bothered about the summer sun turning sweltering on Sunday. Standing in open jeep and flanked by Gul Panag, her father lt Gen Panag (retd) and other AAP leaders, Kejriwal appealed to the people to vote for his honest party AAP to bring a revolutionary change in the country as well as in the city.

The roadshow passed through Ramdarbar, Sectors 47, 46, 45, 52, Attawa Chowk, Sectors 41, 40, 38 west, Sector 25, Panjab University, Sectors 15, 16, 23, 22, 20, 29, Bapudham colony, among other places. Kejriwal received overwhelming response at rural areas where party volunteers and residents came out in large numbers to assure their support to AAP. Throughout the event, the party volunteers and residents were lined up at several places and had brought garlands and bouquet to welcome the crusader and AAP’s chief. There was a complete mayhem at many places where people tried to reach out to Kejriwal wish him luck.

From two-wheelers to autorickshaws, the people were seen joining the long cavalcade of Kejriwal at every halt. Also, Kejriwal was seen constantly waving to the onlookers and the onlookers lined up by the roadside also reciprocated by waving and also, cheered him. The AAP convoy, led by its volunteers and more than 100 vehicles, including four-wheelers and two-wheelers, did not stuck to its decided routes for the event and also, had to miss several places due to shortage of time as Kejriwal was scheduled to leave for Haryana by 2.30 pm.

The AAP’s cavalcade entered Sector 25 and passed near the rally ground where Bahujan Samaj Party’s supremo Mayawati was scheduled to address the rally at around 2 pm. The enthusiasm of the AAP supporters reached a crescendo as they passed through the rally ground as workers honked horns, blew whistles, and shouted slogans to mark AAP’s presence felt at the BSP’s rally venue.

During the event, the party supporters openly flouted traffic rules and safety norms, driving two-wheelers without wearing helmet while the UT traffic police remained a mute spectator. The roadshow also led to traffic jams at several places across the city. The AAP leader stopped at more than 10 places to address the supporters and public. And, the convoy halted at all colonies and villages during the roadshow where Kejriwal sought public’s support in his fight against corruption, price rise, dynasty and criminal politicians.

Addressing the public, Kejriwal referred to the urban and rural divide in Chandigarh and said, “There are two Chandigarhs: One is beautiful, the other ugly.”

His statement of two Chandigarhs’ stood totally apt when one part of Chandigarh including colonies and villages came out in large numbers to support Kejrwal whereas AAP evoked a mixed public response in sectors.

Hitting out at the Congress candidate and local MP Pawan Kumar Bansal, he said, “Bansal has done nothing for the city in the past 15 years. This is a chance for the people to get rid of his corrupt Government now.” Connecting with the crowd, he repeatedly asked them about Bansal’s performance in the city. “Did Bansal do anything for youIJ” he asked, after which the gathering replied no.”

Kejriwal also lashed out at Bansal for his alleged involvement in Railway Board Bribery scam. “The AAP is a party of Dalits and poor. Dalits and poor people voted for us in large numbers in Delhi Assembly polls and we won 28 seats. Now, we want your support, to win Chandigarh seat,” added Kejriwal, while addressing the rural areas of the city.

Hitting out at BJP’s candidate Kirron Kher, he said, “Kirron is seeking votes in the name of Modi. But, people are not fools and she will not be able to win from Chandigarh’s seat.” Besides AAP’s Gul Panag, the other main contenders from Chandigarh lok Sabha seat include Congress’s sitting MP Pawan Bansal and actor-turned-politician Kirron Kher from the BJP.