Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Monday expressed solidarity with Delhi traders after the Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI) appealed to postpone the INDIA bloc’s November 1 rally.
The LOP alleged that leaders will end the protest in 30 seconds if the Chief Election Commissioner, Gyanesh Kumar, resigns.
Sharing a post on X, Rahul expressed solidarity with them amid concerns over the potential impact of the rally on business during the festive season. He linked the disruption in Delhi to the opposition’s allegations of “vote chori” and accused the government of putting livelihoods at risk. With a stolen vote nothing is safe – your shop, your savings, your children’s future. Tell Modi to sack accused no. 4, Gyanesh Kumar, and the protests will stop in 30 seconds,” Rahul Gandhi said.
What did the traders’ committee say?
The Congress leader’s post comes two days after the traders’ body urged him to postpone the November 1 rally at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan until after November 10, warning that it could disrupt business worth Rs 10,000 crore during the peak festive shopping time.
Writing a letter to Rahuk Gandhi, the CTI chairman Brijesh Goyal claimed the rally could affect wholesale and retail markets around Ramlila Maidan ahead of Dhanteras, Diwali and Bhai Dooj. Dhanteras falls on November 6, Diwali will be celebrated on November 8, and Bhai Dooj on November 10 this year.
The committee said Delhi records business estimated around Rs 25,000 crore across sectors such as gold and silver, electronics, clothing, utensils, dry fruits, sweets, automobiles, property and gift items around Dhanteras.
It also claimed that traders had already suffered losses of around Rs 3,000 crore in October due to rallies, marches and road closures in Connaught Place, India Gate and central Delhi.
What are the issues flagged by the CTI?
The CTI identified around 20 wholesale and retail markets within a five-kilometre radius of Ramlila Maidan, including Chandni Chowk, Sadar Bazar, Chawri Bazar, Bhagirath Palace, Khari Baoli, Kashmere Gate, Karol Bagh and Daryaganj.
According to the traders’ body, traffic diversions, barricading and possible restrictions on public transport during the rally could disrupt the movement of goods and reduce customer footfall. It also expressed concern that buyers travelling from other states through Old Delhi and New Delhi railway stations could face inconvenience.While acknowledging the right to peaceful protest and democratic expression, the CTI urged political parties to avoid large rallies in key commercial areas until the festive period ends.
Earlier, the traders’ body said that it suffered a loss of about Rs 3,000 crore so far due to protests in the month, with supply chains also disrupted due to road closures. CTI Chairman Brijesh Goyal said, “The first protest on October 10 caused a loss of Rs 2,000 crore, and the blockade, metro closure and Central Park closure in Central Delhi between October 13 and 16 caused an additional loss of Rs 1,000 crore.”
The industry body further noted that the retail sector has suffered the most due to shopping coming to a halt during the peak Navratri and Diwali season with losses of around Rs 1,800 crore.
The Vote Chori campaign
The proposed rally is part of the INDIA bloc’s campaign against alleged irregularities in electoral rolls during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise. The opposition has demanded action against Gyanesh Kumar over the allegations.
On October 12, opposition leaders, activists and civil society members participated in a ‘March for Democracy’ in Delhi and filed a joint petition against the SIR. Rahul later hosted INDIA bloc leaders at his residence on October 13, after which the opposition vowed to continue its campaign against alleged “vote chori”.