New Delhi, October 24 — The Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI), an organisation representing traders and entrepreneurs in Delhi, has written to Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi requesting him to postpone the Congress' proposed mega rally at Ramlila Maidan on November 1 until after November 10, citing its potential impact on business during the peak Diwali shopping season, IANS reported. CTI Chairman Brijesh Goyal said the rally could disrupt commercial activities across several major wholesale and retail markets in the national capital at a crucial time for traders.

Source: IANS via HiIndia

According to the organisation, traffic diversions, barricading, road closures and possible restrictions on Metro services could make it difficult for customers, traders and buyers from outside Delhi to reach key commercial areas, IANS reported. Goyal warned that the impact of a one-day mega rally could extend over three to four days of business activity, and estimated that the disruption could potentially affect trade worth up to Rs 10,000 crore — yaani roughly $1.1 billion — during the peak festive season. The figures are the CTI's own estimates, made in its letter.

Source: IANS via HiIndia

November 1INDIA bloc mega rally scheduled at Ramlila Maidan
After November 10Date the CTI wants the rally moved to, after Bhai Dooj
Rs 10,000 croreTrade the CTI estimates could be affected (yaani about $1.1 billion)
Rs 25,000 croreDelhi trade the CTI expects on Dhanteras alone (yaani about $2.6 billion)
About 20Major markets within roughly 5 km of Ramlila Maidan, per the CTI

CTI pointed out that Dhanteras falls on Friday, November 6 this year, followed by Diwali on November 8 and Bhai Dooj on November 10, IANS reported. Consumers begin purchasing goods nearly a week before Dhanteras, the body said, making the period particularly important for businesses across Delhi. Goyal stated that Delhi is expected to witness business worth approximately Rs 25,000 crore on Dhanteras across sectors including gold and silver, utensils, electronics, textiles, dry fruits, sweets, automobiles, property and gift items.

Source: IANS via HiIndia

In its formal representation written on Saturday, the traders' body said more than 18 major markets lie within roughly five kilometres of Ramlila Maidan — including Chandni Chowk, Sadar Bazar, Chawri Bazar, Bhagirath Palace and Karol Bagh — and flagged the proximity of the Old Delhi and New Delhi railway stations, PTI reported via LatestLY. The CTI also claimed traders had already lost approximately Rs 3,000 crore in October due to continuous rallies and road closures in central Delhi — a figure the body attributed to its own internal assessment.

Source: PTI via LatestLY

The November 1 gathering is the INDIA bloc's mega rally against alleged 'vote chori' (vote theft) in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls — allegations made by the opposition parties, which the BJP has rejected. Congress general secretaries K C Venugopal and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra reviewed mobilisation for the rally with Uttar Pradesh and Haryana leaders on Friday. No response from the Congress to the CTI letter had been reported at the time of writing.

Source: PTI via LatestLY