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New Delhi: Ahead of the Opposition's November 1 rally,Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Monday voiced support
for Delhi traders, accusing the Narendra Modi government of disrupting their businesses by shutting down metro services and imposing a lockdown-like situation in the capital. Addressing Delhi's retail and wholesale merchants, Gandhi asserted that the restrictions imposed in the capital were a direct result of government actions rather than opposition marches. Invoking his allegations of “vote chori”, Rahul Gandhi demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi sack CEC Gyanesh Kumar, whom he referred to as “Accused No. 4”. He said the protests would stop within 30 seconds of Kumar's removal.
"To every trader in Delhi: We love you and hear you. The Govt shut the metro, sealed our roads and locked down our capital," the Congress leader said in his X post.
"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," he added.
Gandhi's statement comes in the wake of representations sent by the Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI) to top Opposition leaders, requesting a deferral of the INDIA alliance's planned mega rally at Ramlila Maidan on November 1 against CEC Kumar over the alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Trade bodies highlighted that road diversions, barricading and metro station closures in central Delhi during the peak festive shopping season—ahead of Dhanteras, Diwali and Bhai Dooj—threaten thousands of crores in commercial turnover for major trading hubs such as Chandni Chowk, Sadar Bazar and Karol Bagh, ANI reported.
Earlier, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge also reportedly indicated that the party leadership was deliberating on the traders' appeal to find an amenable solution. Gandhi's message frames the ongoing agitation against alleged election irregularities and the Election Commission as an essential constitutional fight necessary to safeguard long-term economic stability.
What Did The Chamber Of Trade & Industry Tell Gandhi In Its October 24 Letter?
The CTI, in its letter to the Lok Sabha LoP, urged 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.
Explaining its request, the 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.
