Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Monday said protests against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar would stop “in 30 seconds” if Prime Minister Narendra Modi removed him, as he reached out
to Delhi’s traders amid calls to postpone the INDIA bloc’s November 1 rally at Ramlila Maidan.
“To every trader in Delhi: We love you and hear you,” Gandhi wrote in a post on X, accusing the government of disrupting business by shutting metro services, sealing roads and imposing what he described as a lockdown on the national capital.
“With a stolen vote nothing is safe—your shop, your savings, your children’s future,” he said, adding: “Tell Modi to sack accused no. 4, Gyanesh Kumar and the protests will stop in 30 seconds.”
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Gandhi’s message came after the Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI) urged him to defer the November 1 rally until after November 10, citing the impact that traffic restrictions and possible disruptions could have on businesses during the festive trading season.
To every trader in Delhi: We love you and hear you.
The Govt shut the metro, sealed our roads and locked down our capital.
With a stolen vote nothing is safe – your shop, your savings, your children’s future.
Tell Modi to sack accused no. 4, Gyanesh Kumar and the protests will stop in 30 seconds.
दिल्ली के हर व्यापारी से: हम आपसे प्यार करते हैं, आपकी बात सुन रहे हैं।
मेट्रो सरकार ने बंद की, सड़कें सरकार ने सील की, राजधानी पर ताला सरकार ने लगाया।
जब वोट ही चोरी हो जाए, तो कुछ भी सुरक्षित नहीं – न आपकी दुकान, न आपकी बचत, न आपके बच्चों का भविष्य।
मोदी जी से कहिए – आरोपी नंबर 4, ज्ञानेश कुमार को हटाएं, 30 सेकंड में आंदोलन रुक जाएगा।
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) October 26, 2026
Gandhi has called for a ‘Chalo Dilli’ march and a ‘Save the Vote, Save the Country’ rally, appealing to students, farmers, labourers, women, young people and traders to join the mobilisation. The Congress has set a target of bringing around 50,000 people to Ramlila Maidan. The INDIA bloc is also planning a ‘public impeachment’ of Kumar on October 30, in the form of a mock Parliament, as part of its campaign against the CEC. The Opposition’s demands include Kumar’s resignation and a halt to the SIR exercise.
Why Delhi’s Traders Want The Rally Postponed
In its appeal to Gandhi, the CTI cited the importance of the period around Dhanteras, Diwali and Bhai Dooj for Delhi’s retail and wholesale markets. It sought a date after November 10, arguing that barricading, traffic diversions and possible Metro disruptions could deter shoppers and traders travelling to the capital’s major markets.
The traders’ body warned that the rally could affect business worth nearly Rs 10,000 crore during the festive period. It also cited losses allegedly suffered during earlier demonstrations and road closures.
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The November 1 event has also become a political flashpoint, with the Congress seeking a large turnout for its ‘vote chori’ campaign. The party is targeting attendance of around 50,000 people at Ramlila Maidan.
Gandhi’s post sought to frame the disruption faced by traders as a consequence of the government’s handling of protests, while reiterating the Congress’s allegation of electoral wrongdoing.
