Delhi Traders Urge INDIA Bloc to Shift November 1 Rally

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 31st Oct: Delhi traders have appealed to INDIA bloc leaders, including Akhilesh Yadav, Mamata Banerjee, Tejashwi Yadav and Uddhav Thackeray, to intervene and persuade the Congress to reschedule its November 1 rally at Ramlila Maidan, citing concerns over disruption to the peak Diwali shopping season.

The Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI) has written to the opposition leaders after its repeated appeals to Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi failed to secure a change in the rally schedule.

The traders’ body said the rally could affect daily business worth ₹10,000–12,000 crore across around 20 major wholesale and retail markets in central and Old Delhi.

CTI chairman Brijesh Goyal clarified that traders were not opposed to the rally but feared that the expected gathering of around 10 lakh people and 15,000–20,000 vehicles could bring commercial activity to a standstill.

“We are not opposing the rally. We are pleading with folded hands to protect our livelihoods during the peak Diwali season,” Goyal said.

The traders pointed out that Dhanteras falls on November 6 and Diwali on November 8, making November 1 an important day for stocking goods and preparing for the festive rush.

Parking and traffic congestion raise concerns
The CTI has flagged inadequate parking facilities around Ramlila Maidan, claiming that the venue cannot accommodate even 200 large buses. It fears that vehicles carrying rally participants could occupy major roads across central Delhi.

Jawaharlal Nehru Marg, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, Netaji Subhash Marg and roads around Chandni Chowk and Ajmeri Gate could face severe congestion, the association warned.

Markets likely to be affected include Chandni Chowk, Sadar Bazar, Connaught Place, Khari Baoli, Bhagirath Palace, Chawri Bazar, Karol Bagh and Daryaganj.

According to CTI, these markets receive around 5,000 trucks and tempos carrying goods from Delhi’s industrial areas every day. Another 3,000 vehicles transport merchandise to NCR cities and other parts of the country.

The association also warned that disruption could begin as early as October 31, with vehicles expected to enter Delhi through the Singhu, Tikri, Ghazipur and Badarpur borders. It claimed that some transporters were already reluctant to dispatch goods because of concerns over barricading and traffic restrictions.

Citing an October 10 gathering at Jantar Mantar, the traders said a turnout of around 5,000–7,000 people had caused traffic congestion for nearly eight hours.

Traders seek postponement or change of venue
The CTI has put forward two alternatives: postpone the rally until after Diwali or shift it to Burari Ground, which the association claims has parking space for around 15,000 vehicles.

Goyal said the association had approached Rahul Gandhi three times but had been unable to convince him to change the date.

“We appealed to Rahul Gandhi, but he refused. Now our last hope is with you,” Goyal said in his appeal to INDIA bloc leaders.

He questioned how traders would receive and dispatch goods for Dhanteras if central Delhi experienced severe traffic congestion on October 31 and November 1.

The rally is part of the opposition’s campaign against alleged electoral irregularities and its demand for the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

Rahul Gandhi had earlier responded to traders’ concerns, saying the protest could end in “30 seconds” if Prime Minister Narendra Modi removed the Chief Election Commissioner.

Delhi Police has granted conditional permission for the rally, directing organisers to park vehicles only at designated locations.