'Rs 10k cr at risk': Traders' body urges Rahul to defer Delhi rally amid Diwali season

NEW DELHI: The Chamber of Trade and Industry on Saturday urged Lok Sabha leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi to postpone the INDIA bloc's upcoming rally on November 1 at Ramlila Maidan, saying the demonstration could disrupt business worth Rs 10,000 crore during the peak Diwali shopping season.In a letter to Rahul, CTI chairman Brijesh Goyal said the rally could affect wholesale and retail markets around Ramlila Maidan at a time when traders expect heavy customer footfall ahead of Dhanteras and Diwali."This year, Dhanteras falls on Friday, November 6, Diwali on November 8 and Bhai Dooj on November 10. People begin shopping for Dhanteras and Diwali a week in advance. In Delhi alone, Dhanteras-related business across sectors such as gold and silver, utensils, electronics, textiles, dry fruits, sweets, automobiles, vehicles, property and gift items amounts to approximately Rs 25,000 crore.

This trade is the backbone of Delhi's economy," the letter reads.The traders' body said markets generally see increased activity about a week before the festivals, making the timing of the rally a matter of concern.Goyal also said traders in Delhi had 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."According to CTI's estimates, traders in Delhi have already suffered losses of approximately Rs 3,000 crore due to repeated rallies, marches and road closures in Connaught Place, India Gate and central Delhi," he said.

"The movement of goods into wholesale markets had come to a halt, while retail customers were unable to reach the markets," he added.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."Goods from these markets are supplied across the country. Traffic diversions, metro station closures and barricading during the rally could bring business in these markets to a complete standstill," Goyal said.While acknowledging the right to peaceful protest and democratic expression, CTI urged political parties to avoid holding large rallies in key commercial areas until the festival period ends.

The opposition rally aims to ramp up pressure on the government over the "vote chori" issue and demand Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar's resignation over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.On October 12, protests over the "vote theft" charge reached the Supreme Court's doorstep, with opposition leaders, activists and civil society members participating in a 'March for Democracy' along a heavily barricaded route in Delhi and filing a joint petition against the SIR.Rahul hosted INDIA bloc leaders for tea at his home on October 13. After the meeting, the opposition bloc vowed to continue resisting and take the "vote chori" fight to its logical conclusion.