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Traders urge Rahul Gandhi to defer INDIA bloc’s Nov 1 rally, say Rs 10,000 crore Diwali business at risk
CTI says the rally could disrupt festive trade worth Rs 10,000 crore and has already caused about Rs 3,000 crore in losses this month.
The Chamber of Trade and Industry urged Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to postpone the INDIA bloc's November 1 rally at Ramlila Maidan, warning that road restrictions could disrupt business worth Rs 10,000 crore during peak Diwali shopping.
Traders highlighted that 20 major wholesale and retail markets within a five-kilometre radius of Ramlila Maidan—including Chandni Chowk and Sadar Bazar—could face choked access due to barricades and potential metro closures during the peak shopping period.
CTI chairman Brijesh Goyal noted that businesses in Delhi already suffered losses of around Rs 3,000 crore in October due to repeated rallies and road closures in Connaught Place and central Delhi, heightening fears of compounded losses.
On Monday, Rahul Gandhi responded to the traders' appeal, asserting protests would stop if Prime Minister Narendra Modi sacks Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. "Tell Modi to sack accused no. 4, Gyanesh Kumar," Gandhi said.
Despite the traders' plea, the INDIA bloc continues preparing for the rally, aiming to intensify pressure on the government over alleged "vote chori" irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.