Delhi's traders have asked Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to put off the INDIA bloc's November 1 rally at Ramlila Maidan until after November 10, warning that it could disrupt business worth Rs 10,000 crore in the peak Diwali shopping season.
The Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI) made the appeal in a letter to Gandhi, who is the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha. CTI chairman Brijesh Goyal wrote that the rally could hit wholesale and retail markets around Ramlila Maidan just when traders expect heavy footfall ahead of Dhanteras and Diwali.
Goyal said Delhi does business worth around Rs 25,000 crore around Dhanteras, which falls on November 6 this year. The spending spans gold and silver, electronics, clothing, utensils, dry fruits, sweets, automobiles, property and gift items. Diwali is on November 8, followed by Bhai Dooj on November 10.
The CTI said markets usually pick up about a week before the festivals, which makes the timing of the rally a worry for traders.
The traders' body pointed to around 20 wholesale and retail markets within a five-kilometre radius of Ramlila Maidan. These include 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. The CTI said traffic diversions, barricading and possible curbs on public transport during the rally could disrupt their operations.
Goyal also raised concern for traders and buyers who travel to Delhi from other states through the Old Delhi and New Delhi railway stations. Road restrictions and heavy crowds, he said, could put off outstation buyers during the festive season.
According to the CTI's assessment, Delhi traders have already lost around Rs 3,000 crore this month because of rallies, marches and road closures in Connaught Place, India Gate and central Delhi. The body claimed the disruptions slowed the movement of goods to wholesale markets and reduced footfall at retail outlets.
The CTI acknowledged the right to peaceful protest and democratic expression. It urged political parties to avoid large rallies in key commercial areas until the festival period ends, and asked Gandhi to consider holding the event after November 10 to protect business activity.
The opposition rally aims to step up pressure on the government over the "vote chori" (vote theft) charge. It also demands the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The SIR is the Election Commission's intensive verification of voter lists. The poll body has maintained that it aims to remove dead, shifted and duplicate voters while ensuring no eligible voter is left out.
On October 12, opposition leaders, activists and civil society members held a 'March for Democracy' along a heavily barricaded route in Delhi, reaching the Supreme Court's doorstep. They also filed a joint petition against the SIR.
Gandhi hosted INDIA bloc leaders for tea at his home on October 13. After the meeting, the bloc vowed to continue resisting and to take the "vote chori" fight to its "logical conclusion".