'PM Modi, Shah suffering loss': Sanjay Raut on biz concerns of traders ahead of oppn rally

File photo: Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay RautNEW DELHI: Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Sunday dismissed concerns that the INDIA bloc's rally at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan would disrupt business in the national capital, taking a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah by calling them the country's “only two traders”.Speaking to news agency ANI ahead of the opposition alliance's 'Chalo Delhi' mobilisation, Raut said any losses suffered by the two leaders as a result of the demonstration would be acceptable.He also claimed that lakhs of people were travelling to Delhi to demand a change of government and defend constitutional democracy.“There are no real concerns among the traders; in this country, the only two 'traders' are Modi ji and Shah ji. They are certainly suffering losses. If such movements cause them losses, then so be it,” Raut said.He described the mobilisation as a show of national strength rather than an event organised by any one political party, claiming that attempts to prevent people from reaching the capital would only increase the size of the gathering.“Lakhs of people are arriving. There are significant attempts to stop them, but the more they try to block people, the larger the crowd will grow. People will break through all the barricades to get here. They want a regime change. They do not want this govt,” he said.Raut added that such programmes would continue to be held in Delhi in front of the Prime Minister and the home minister.Raut accuses Election Commission of surrendering autonomyThe Shiv Sena (UBT) leader also accused the Election Commission of India (ECI) of functioning under pressure from the ruling establishment, alleging that constitutional institutions had failed to maintain their independence.“Constitutional watchdogs have surrendered their autonomy. When votes are manipulated, and institutions turn a blind eye, the people of the country have no option but to demand accountability out in the open. We will not allow the Election Commission to become a front organisation for the ruling party,” he said.Raut maintained that the INDIA bloc remained united in its opposition to alleged voter roll tampering and what it described as the suppression of democratic norms.“This massive mobilisation is a loud and clear message to the government: you cannot govern this country through fear, misuse of agencies, and electoral manipulation. The voice of the people will triumph,” he added.Backing the rally, Samajwadi Party leader S T Hasan told ANI that the demonstration could become “historic” if the government allowed it to proceed without interference. The former MP said the mobilisation was aimed at protecting the Constitution and democratic values.“If the government doesn’t interfere and allows the rally to take place, it is set to be a historic one. This rally is about saving the nation, protecting the Constitution, and safeguarding our democracy,” Hasan said.He also expressed concern over what he described as a decline in the global perception of India's electoral integrity, claiming that the country was increasingly being viewed as a “pseudo-democracy”.“The message currently circulating globally is that the world’s largest democracy has effectively become a 'pseudo-democracy', a place where votes are stolen, fair elections do not occur, and the principle of 'might is right' prevails,” he said.Hasan urged citizens to support the opposition's initiative, saying it was the duty of every Indian to stand up for the country and protect democracy.INDIA bloc expects large turnout at Ramlila MaidanThe remarks came as supporters of INDIA bloc parties began gathering at Ramlila Maidan and other locations in Delhi on Sunday morning for the 'Chalo Delhi' rally against alleged electoral irregularities.The opposition alliance is also demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.Congress supporters assembled outside Himachal Bhawan, while Samajwadi Party workers gathered near party chief Akhilesh Yadav's residence before proceeding towards the rally venue.Party workers from several states had also reached the capital on Saturday or earlier.The march is scheduled to begin at noon from the Minto Road-Connaught Place junction and culminate at Ramlila Maidan.Senior opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, Mamata Banerjee, Abhishek Banerjee, Hemant Soren, Revanth Reddy, Tejashwi Yadav and Akhilesh Yadav, are expected to attend.Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had urged people travelling to Delhi for the protest to also shop from local traders ahead of Diwali, Chhath and Bhai Dooj. In a video message posted on X on Saturday, he said the opposition's programme would not hurt businesses and asked supporters to combine their participation in the rally with some shopping.The INDIA bloc has estimated that up to 10 lakh people could attend the mobilisation, while Delhi Police expects a turnout of around 50,000. Ramlila Maidan can accommodate 45,000 to 50,000 people when empty, but the estimated capacity is lower — around 30,000 to 40,000 — with chairs, enclosures and passageways in place.More than 4,000 police personnel, along with Central Armed Police Forces companies, are being deployed for security and crowd management. The ground has been divided into 14 zones, with each supervised by an assistant commissioner-rank officer. More than 200 CCTV cameras, drones and body-worn cameras will also be used for surveillance.The Delhi Traffic Police has announced restrictions and diversions in parts of central Delhi from 10 am to 5 pm on Sunday and advised commuters to plan their journeys accordingly, ANI reported.The mobilisation follows a symbolic 'public impeachment' of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar at Kharge's residence on Saturday. Former Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar presided over the proceedings, during which Kharge moved a resolution listing the Opposition's charges against the CEC.Rahul Gandhi delivered the concluding remarks before the resolution was adopted.The INDIA bloc has been protesting against what it calls 'vote chori', alleging large-scale deletion of voters' names during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.