The Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI) on Saturday urged Lok Sabha leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi to postpone the INDIA bloc’s upcoming rally on November 1 at Ramlila Maidan, saying the demonstration could disrupt business worth Rs 10,000 crore during the Diwali shopping season.
In a letter to Rahul, CTI chairman Brijesh Goyal said the rally could affect wholesale and retail markets around Ramlila Maidan at a time when traders expect heavy customer footfall ahead of Dhanteras and Diwali.
“This year, Dhanteras falls on Friday, November 6, Diwali on November 8 and Bhai Dooj on November 10. People begin shopping for Dhanteras and Diwali a week in advance. In Delhi alone, Dhanteras-related business across sectors such as gold and silver, utensils, electronics, textiles, dry fruits, sweets, automobiles, vehicles, property and gift items amounts to approximately Rs 25,000 crore. This trade is the backbone of Delhi’s economy,” the letter reads.
The traders’ body said markets generally see increased activity about a week before the festivals, making the timing of the rally a matter of concern. Goyal also said traders in Delhi 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.
According to CTI’s estimates, traders in Delhi have already suffered losses of approximately Rs 3,000 crore due to repeated rallies, marches and road closures in Connaught Place, India Gate and central Delhi,” he said. The disruptions affected the movement of goods to wholesale markets and reduced customer footfall at retail outlets, it claimed.
The organisation also pointed to 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, Nai Sarak, Mori Gate, Kinari Bazar, Dariba, Daryaganj, Ajmeri Gate, Jama Masjid, Karol Bagh and Azad Market. These markets supply goods to different parts of the country, and traffic diversions, barricading and possible restrictions on public transport during the rally could disrupt business operations, CTI said.
Goyal expressed concern over the possible inconvenience to traders and buyers travelling to Delhi from other states through the Old Delhi and New Delhi railway stations. He said restrictions on roads and heavy crowds could discourage outstation buyers from visiting the capital during the festive season.
CTI urged political parties to avoid holding large rallies in key commercial areas until the festival period ends.
The traders’ body requested the leader of the Congress party, a core constituent of the opposition INDIA bloc, to consider holding the rally after November 10, saying the postponement would help protect business activity during one of the busiest periods of the year.
The opposition rally is aimed at ramping up pressure on the government over “vote chori” issue and for CEC Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation over alleged irregularities in SIR.