Cong roadshows cause traffic jams; commuters stranded

Congress president Rahul Gandhi went around the city on Wednesday holding roadshows and interactive sessions, creating traffic gridlocks in Basavanagudi, Lalbagh Main Road, Hosur Road, Shivajinagar and Majestic.

The traffic police’s clumsy handling of the situation also led to a large number of vehicles stuck in traffic chaos from 10 am.

Gandhi visited the Dodda Ganapathi temple on Bull Temple Road in Basavanagudi. He began his roadshow from the temple to National College in Basavanagudi.

Vehicles were stranded in the area for more than half an hour as police blocked traffic to allow Gandhi’s convoy to pass through unhindered. Angry commuters asked why they should suffer for letting the VIP to crisscross the city.

“Why did the Election Commission allow such roadshows in the city centre?” asked Shekhar Prasad, a motorist. “We common folks suffer because of these political dramas.”

Roads in the Majestic area were paralysed by noon as Gandhi stopped over at Dargah Hazrath Tawakkal Mastan Shah on Akkipete Main Road. His speech in the middle of the Russel Market junction also obstructed traffic in the narrow roads of Shivajinagar.