NEW DELHI: The Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI) has urged Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to postpone the INDIA bloc’s November 1 rally at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan until after November 10, warning that it could disrupt business worth ₹10,000 crore during the festive shopping season.
In a letter to Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, CTI chairman Brijesh Goyal said the rally could affect wholesale and retail markets around Ramlila Maidan at a time when traders expect a surge in customer footfall ahead of Dhanteras and Diwali.
Goyal said Delhi typically records business worth around ₹25,000 crore across sectors such as gold and silver, electronics, clothing, utensils, dry fruits, sweets, automobiles, property and gifts during the festive period. Dhanteras falls on November 6 this year, followed by Diwali on November 8 and Bhai Dooj on November 10.
According to the traders’ body, markets begin witnessing increased activity about a week before the festivals, making the timing of the rally a concern for businesses.
The CTI estimated that traders in Delhi had already suffered losses of around ₹3,000 crore in October due to rallies, marches and road closures in Connaught Place, India Gate and central Delhi. It claimed the disruptions affected the movement of goods to wholesale markets and reduced customer footfall at retail outlets.
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 and Kashmere Gate. It said traffic diversions, barricading and possible restrictions on public transport could disrupt business operations and deter buyers travelling to the capital from other states.
Goyal also expressed concern that congestion and road restrictions could inconvenience traders and buyers arriving through Old Delhi and New Delhi railway stations.
While acknowledging the right to peaceful protest and democratic expression, the CTI urged political parties to avoid large rallies in key commercial areas during the festive period. It asked Gandhi to consider holding the rally after November 10 to minimise disruption during one of the busiest shopping periods of the year.
The INDIA bloc rally is aimed at intensifying pressure on the government over the opposition’s “vote chori” allegations and its demand for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
The opposition has continued its campaign against the revision exercise, with INDIA bloc leaders vowing to take their “vote chori” campaign forward.