Delhi’s Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI) has asked Congress to delay or relocate its Nov. 1 rally, citing traffic concerns over deliveries and shopper access during Diwali shopping.
IANS reported on Oct. 30 that CTI appealed to Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi to change the plan; The Times of India also reported the request. IANS said the traders proposed holding the INDIA bloc event after Diwali, on Nov. 10-11 or later, or shifting it to Burari Ground.
CTI estimates, reported by IANS and The Times of India, put possible attendance at about 1 million people, with 15,000 to 20,000 vehicles traveling to the area. The group said the added traffic could make deliveries harder and limit customers’ access to nearby markets during the busy shopping period.
CTI put the combined daily turnover of 20 wholesale and retail markets at ₹10,000 crore to ₹12,000 crore. That figure describes daily business volume, not projected losses if the rally proceeds. IANS and The Times of India reported the 20-market count; an Oct. 27 ETGovernment report gave a count of 21.
IANS quoted CTI Chairman Brijesh Goyal saying, “We are not opposing the rally.” The agency reported that Goyal framed the appeal around protecting traders’ livelihoods during the seasonal rush.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge called for the Sunday, Nov. 1 event at Ramlila Maidan in a post on X, using the slogan “Vote Bachao, Desh Bachao.” The rally is part of Congress’ campaign over alleged electoral irregularities and revisions to voter rolls under the Special Intensive Revision, according to the party’s public messaging.
An Oct. 17 Delhi Police no-objection letter cleared the event from a law-and-order standpoint, subject to permission from the land-owning authority. The rally is called for Sunday, Nov. 1, at Ramlila Maidan.
