Delhi traders seek meeting with Rahul Gandhi, want INDIA Bloc rally postponed

The Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI) has sought a 20-minute meeting with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, urging him to postpone the INDIA bloc’s November 1 rally at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan until after Diwali, citing concerns over business losses during the festive season.In a letter to Gandhi on Wednesday, CTI chairman Brijesh Goyal said the rally, expected to draw 10 lakh people, could disrupt business in 20 markets located within a 1- to 5-km radius of the venue.This is the second time in four days that the traders’ body has written to Gandhi, who is the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, seeking a postponement. In its October 24 letter, CTI had said deferring the rally would help protect business activity during one of the busiest periods of the year.“We don't want a fight; we want dialogue. Rahul ji himself says that he listens to everyone, listens to the voice of small traders. So, we traders from 20 markets are asking him for 20 minutes. This will be the beauty of democracy,” Goyal said in Wednesday’s letter. The traders have offered to withdraw their protest if Gandhi can convince them that the rally would boost business and bring more customers to the markets. However, if they can demonstrate that the event would cause losses, he should defer it until after Diwali, Goyal said.The 20 markets identified by CTI include Chandni Chowk, Bhagirath Palace, Khari Baoli, Sadar Bazar, Chawri Bazar, Kashmere Gate, Nabi Karim, Karol Bagh, Ajmeri Gate, Daryaganj, Nai Sarak, Kinari Bazar, Dariba Kalan, Fatehpuri, Naya Bazar, Filmistan, Paharganj, Gaffar Market, Jama Masjid-Meena Bazar and Lajpat Rai Market. The INDIA bloc rally is aimed at intensifying pressure on the government over the “vote chori” issue and demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.On October 12, opposition leaders, including Gandhi, activists and civil society members participated in a ‘March for Democracy’ in Delhi to protest against alleged vote theft. The march followed a heavily barricaded route and culminated at the Supreme Court, where participants also filed a joint petition challenging the SIR.Gandhi hosted INDIA bloc leaders for tea at his residence on October 13. After the meeting, the opposition bloc vowed to continue its resistance and take the fight to its logical conclusion.- Ends