Delhi Traders Urge Sonia Gandhi to Postpone Congress Mega Rally

Delhi-based business associations have urged the Congress to postpone its proposed mega rally scheduled for November 1, which is being organised to demand the resignation of the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC). Traders fear that holding the protest during the festive season could disrupt business activities and cause significant financial losses ahead of Diwali. The Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI) said it had repeatedly requested Rahul Gandhi to defer the rally but received no favourable response. Subsequently, the organisation wrote to senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi, requesting that the event be rescheduled to November 10 or 11, keeping in mind the livelihoods of families dependent on businesses.

In its letter, the CTI also suggested shifting the protest venue away from commercial areas if postponing the rally was not possible. CTI Chairman Brijesh Goyal clarified that the traders were not opposed to political demonstrations but were concerned about their impact on businesses and livelihoods during the festive season. He estimated that lakhs of protesters and around 20,000 vehicles could enter Delhi's narrow streets, potentially disrupting commercial activities. According to the letter, business worth approximately Rs. 12,000 crore in major market areas could be affected by the rally.