The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) on Thursday, November 5, wrote a strongly worded letter to Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, expressing deep anguish and resentment felt by traders over the frequent disruption of business activities in Delhi caused by political rallies, sit-ins and protests over the past month.

Source: IANS via HiIndia

In the letter, CAIT specifically questioned the Congress rally organised on November 1 and the support extended by the Congress and other political parties to various demonstrations held over the last month. CAIT National President B.C. Bhartia questioned the political and moral responsibility of Gandhi and the Congress party, saying the demonstrations had severely affected economic activity in the national capital during the crucial festive and wedding shopping season. According to the reports, CAIT placed five direct questions before Gandhi in the letter.

Source: ANI via ApnaMatv

What CAIT says it will do next

CAIT said it will await Gandhi's response to the letter. Immediately after Diwali, a national-level meeting of Delhi's traders and prominent trade leaders from across the country will be convened in New Delhi to decide the future course of action, and the date for the nationwide 'Dhikkar Diwas' (Day of Condemnation) will be finalised at that meeting.

Source: IANS via HiIndia

In its detailed account of the letter, Nation Press reported that Bhartia accused Gandhi of holding contradictory positions — publicly urging citizens to patronise local markets while backing political events that, CAIT says, prevent customers from reaching those markets — and invoked Article 19(1)(g) of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to practise a profession, trade or business. These are CAIT's stated positions and allegations in its letter. The Congress party had not publicly responded to the letter at the time of publication, according to the report.

Source: Nation Press