Delhi Traders Urge Congress to Postpone Rally, Flag ₹12,000 Crore Trade Risk

The Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI) has renewed its appeal to the Congress leadership to postpone the proposed November 1 rally at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan, warning that the gathering could disrupt commercial activity worth ₹10,000–12,000 crore across 20 major markets in the national capital. With the rally scheduled just days before Dhanteras and Diwali, the traders' body has approached Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi, seeking her intervention after its repeated representations to Rahul Gandhi failed to secure a change in the programme.

In a letter, CTI chairman Brijesh Goyal proposed postponing the rally until November 10–11 or later, or shifting it to Burari Ground, which reportedly has parking capacity for around 15,000 vehicles. The organisation said it had earlier written three letters to Rahul Gandhi, requesting reconsideration of the schedule. Goyal clarified that traders were not opposing the demonstration but were concerned about its timing, as Dhanteras falls on November 6 and Diwali on November 8. The association estimates that festive-season business, including Dhanteras-related trade, could reach ₹25,000 crore.

CTI warned that the expected arrival of 10 lakh participants and 15,000–20,000 vehicles could cause severe congestion around central and Old Delhi. It said inadequate parking at Ramlila Maidan could force vehicles onto major roads, including JLN Marg, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg and Netaji Subhash Marg, disrupting access to commercial establishments.

Markets potentially affected include Chandni Chowk, Sadar Bazar, Connaught Place, Khari Baoli, Bhagirath Palace, Kashmere Gate, Chawri Bazar, Karol Bagh and Dariba Kalan, among others. According to CTI, around 5,000 trucks and tempos transport goods daily from 56 industrial areas, including Narela, Bawana, Okhla, Mayapuri and Mundka. Another 3,000 vehicles reportedly distribute merchandise to 25 cities. Transporters have expressed reluctance to send vehicles into affected areas from October 31, raising concerns over festive supplies.

The traders' body also cited an October 10 protest, which it claimed attracted 5,000–7,000 people and disrupted traffic for nearly eight hours. The concerns come amid changes to Delhi's designated protest venues, with Ramlila Maidan, Burari Ground and CBD Ground identified as alternatives to Jantar Mantar following a Union Home Ministry committee's recommendations.

The November 1 rally is part of the INDIA bloc's campaign against alleged electoral irregularities and concerns surrounding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. While Congress expects around 10 lakh participants, Delhi Police estimates a turnout of 50,000 and plans to deploy 3,500 personnel for security and crowd management.