Delhi Traders Urge Congress to Postpone November Rally Until After Diwali
Traders in Delhi request Congress to delay its November rally until after Diwali to avoid economic losses during the festive season.
New Delhi, October 26 (Daily Kiran) : Traders in New Delhi have reiterated their demand for the Congress party to postpone its rally scheduled for November 1 at Ramlila Maidan. They welcomed a statement from Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, indicating that he would consider their request. The traders expressed that holding the rally after Diwali would be in the best interest of the business community.
Concerns have been raised about potential financial losses for traders due to the timing of the rally. Kharge mentioned that a final decision would be made after discussions with the Congress party and its opposition allies.
The Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI), representing traders and entrepreneurs, stated that Kharge’s remarks have instilled hope among Delhi’s business community. CTI Chairman Brijesh Goyal noted that a letter has been sent to Kharge, requesting that the rally be rescheduled to protect the livelihoods of millions of traders during the peak Diwali season.
This year, Dhanteras falls on November 6, with significant business expected across various sectors in Delhi, amounting to approximately ₹25,000 crore. Following Dhanteras, Diwali is on November 8, and the peak season continues until Bhai Dooj on November 10-11.
Traders highlighted that there are 20 major wholesale and retail markets within a five-kilometer radius of Ramlila Maidan, including Chandni Chowk, Sadar Bazaar, and Karol Bagh. About 300,000 traders operate in these markets, supporting nearly 1.5 million people when including their families and employees.
The CTI emphasized that a large rally would not only affect Ramlila Maidan but would also create panic in other markets across Delhi, similar to the disruptions caused during a protest at Jantar Mantar on October 10. They reported a loss of ₹3,000 crore in October alone and are eager to avoid repeating such conditions during the crucial Diwali shopping period. Goyal appealed to Kharge to consider the traders’ interests and reschedule the rally for after the festival.
