Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge said the party would consult INDIA bloc allies over the November 1 rally after traders warned of potential business losses.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday said the party would consult its leaders and alliance partners regarding the Opposition’s mega rally scheduled for November 1 at Ramlila Maidan in Delhi, following concerns raised by traders.
Speaking on the issue, Kharge said, “It has been decided to hold a mega rally at Ramlila Maidan on November 1. Meanwhile, some traders have submitted a memorandum. We will consult with our party and our other alliance partners before making a final decision on the next steps tomorrow.”
“This is a very big matter of vote theft. If they don’t even have the right to vote, then no trader can do business. Today, if any student wants to build their future, they won’t get any support either… Still, we will think about the request that we have received,” the Congress chief added.
The Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI) had urged Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to postpone the rally until after November 10, saying that it could disrupt business worth Rs 10,000 crore during the peak Diwali shopping season.
Goyal said Delhi records business worth around Rs 25,000 crore across sectors such as gold and silver, electronics, clothing, utensils, dry fruits, sweets, automobiles, property and gift items around Dhanteras, which falls on November 6 this year. Diwali will be celebrated on November 8, followed by Bhai Dooj on November 10.
The organisation also pointed to around 20 wholesale and retail markets within a five-kilometre radius of Ramlila Maidan, including Chandni Chowk, Sadar Bazar, Chawri Bazar, Bhagirath Palace, Khari Baoli, Kashmere Gate, Nai Sarak, Mori Gate, Kinari Bazar, Dariba, Daryaganj, Ajmeri Gate, Jama Masjid, Karol Bagh and Azad Market. According to the CTI’s assessment, traders in Delhi have already suffered losses of around Rs 3,000 crore in October due to rallies, marches and road closures in Connaught Place, India Gate and central Delhi.
The INDIA bloc’s November 1 rally at the Ramlila Maidan has been described as the culmination of the ‘Delhi Chalo’ march against alleged irregularities in the functioning of the Election Commission and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Earlier on Friday, Congress general secretaries Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and K C Venugopal met party leaders from Uttar Pradesh and Haryana at the AICC headquarters to review preparations for the rally to be held at Ramlila Maidan.
