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New Delhi: The Chamber of Trade & Industry (CTI) has written to Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, urging him to postpone the Congress-led INDIA
bloc’s November 1 rally at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan until after Bhai Dooj on November 10, citing concerns over business during the peak Diwali shopping season. In its letter dated October 24, the trade body said the festival season was crucial for Delhi’s traders and warned that traffic restrictions, barricading and metro station closures during the rally could affect business across major markets in the national capital. “We humbly request you to postpone this rally until after November 10 (Bhai Dooj), as the Diwali trade season is currently at its peak,” the letter said.
CTI Cites Rs 25,000 Crore Diwali Trade
Explaining its request, CTI said Delhi witnesses substantial business activity around Dhanteras and Diwali, with shoppers beginning their purchases well in advance of the festivals.
“A business worth Rs 25,000 crore takes place in Delhi during Dhanteras. This year, Dhanteras falls on November 6 (Friday), Diwali on November 8, and Bhai Dooj on November 10. People begin shopping for Dhanteras and Diwali a week in advance,” the letter stated.
Chamber of Trade & Industry (CTI) writes to Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi to postpone the Congress rally planned for Nov 1 at Ramlila Maidan to after Bhai Dooj (Nov 10). https://t.co/m3veJOa9HJ
— ANI (@ANI) October 24, 2026
“From gold and silver to utensils, electronics, clothing, dry fruits, sweets, automobiles, furniture, stationery and gift items, business worth approximately Rs 25,000 crore takes place during this period. This trade is a lifeline for Delhi’s economy,” it added.
The trade body also claimed that traders had already suffered significant losses due to disruptions in central Delhi during October.
“Due to continuous rallies, marches and road closures in Connaught Place, India Gate and central Delhi in October, traders in Delhi have already suffered losses of approximately Rs 3,000 crore, according to an assessment by CTI. Goods are not arriving from outside in wholesale markets, and customers are unable to reach retail markets,” the letter said.
20 Major Markets Around Ramlila Maidan Could Be Affected
CTI said several of Delhi’s major wholesale and retail markets are located within a five-kilometre radius of the rally venue, with traders supplying goods to different parts of the country.
“Within a five-kilometre radius of Ramlila Maidan are 20 of Delhi’s historic wholesale and retail markets, including Chandni Chowk, Sadar Bazaar, Khari Baoli, Bhagirath Palace, Kashmere Gate, Kashmiri Gate, Nai Sarak, Mori Gate, Tilak Bazaar, Dariba Kalan, Ajmeri Gate, Jama Masjid, Sita Ram Bazaar, Karol Bagh, Nabi Karim, Azad Market and Lajpat Rai Market. Goods from these markets are supplied across India,” the letter said.
Warning of the possible impact of restrictions, the trade body added, “Due to the rally, traffic diversions, metro station closures and barricading could bring business in these markets to a complete halt.”
CTI also flagged the proximity of two major railway stations to Ramlila Maidan, saying they serve traders and shoppers travelling to the capital.
“Old Delhi Railway Station and New Delhi Railway Station are also close to Ramlila Maidan. Thousands of traders and shoppers travel to and from Delhi through these stations every day,” the letter stated.
It further warned that road closures and crowds could discourage shoppers travelling from outside Delhi during the festival season.
“During the rally, road closures and crowds could cause considerable inconvenience to people travelling to and from Delhi. Fear of these difficulties could discourage outstation shoppers from visiting the city, directly affecting the Dhanteras and Diwali trade,” it said.
While acknowledging the importance of democratic rights and political protests, the trade body appealed to the Congress to consider the concerns of traders before proceeding with the rally on November 1.
Congress Steps Up Preparations For November 1 Rally
The CTI request comes as the Congress steps up preparations for the INDIA bloc rally against alleged electoral irregularities and its “vote chori” charge against the BJP.
Congress general secretaries Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and K C Venugopal met party leaders from Uttar Pradesh and Haryana at the AICC headquarters on Friday to review preparations and mobilisation efforts.
The meetings were attended by senior party leaders from both states, including AICC state in-charge Rajendra Pal Gautam, former UPCC chief Ajay Rai, Congress leader Salman Khurshid, Haryana Congress in-charge Sanjay Dutt, PCC president Rao Narender Singh, Randeep Surjewala and MP Deepender Hooda, among others.
Venugopal described the Ramlila Maidan rally as the culmination of a proposed 'Delhi Chalo March', which he said would reach the national capital on November 1. He claimed that at least 1 million citizens were expected to participate.
"Our programs against the criminal vote chori orchestrated by Gyanesh & Co. -- at Modi-Shah's behest -- will be historic," he claimed.
He further said the rally would send a strong message that "we are united in protecting our democracy and driving these vote chors out of power".
The INDIA bloc rally is aimed at mounting pressure on the government over the opposition's allegations of irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Opposition parties have also demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Earlier this month, opposition leaders, activists and civil society members participated in a 'March for Democracy' in Delhi and filed a joint petition in the Supreme Court challenging the SIR exercise. On October 13, Rahul Gandhi hosted INDIA bloc leaders for tea at his residence, following which the opposition bloc vowed to continue its campaign against alleged "vote chori".
