Protest, then do some shopping: Rahul Gandhi's appeal after traders oppose rally

Rahul Gandhi urged INDIA bloc rallygoers to shop at Delhi's local markets. His appeal addressed traders' concerns about disruption during peak festive shopping.Rahul Gandhi and opposition leaders are expected to raise concerns over the electoral roll revision and demand the CEC's resignation. (File Photo: ITG)Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Saturday urged people attending the INDIA bloc's mega rally at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan on November 1 to support local traders by shopping at their stores during the festive season.He said the rally would not hurt businesses and accused the BJP of spreading rumours about possible disruptions.In a post on X, Gandhi said lakhs of people were expected to travel to Delhi for the rally and appealed to them to combine their participation in the protest with shopping at local markets.“Protest, march, hold rallies, and along with that, do a little shopping too – it will benefit the traders,” Gandhi said, extending his Diwali greetings. He added that the rally would take place as planned and that participants would purchase goods from small shops across the city.“The BJP is scared, that's why it's spreading rumours. But let's do both. Tomorrow there will be a march, there will be a rally, and lakhs of people will buy goods from the small shops of our traders,” he said. (Credits: X/Rahul Gandhi) Gandhi's remarks came amid concerns raised by traders' associations over the timing of the rally, which is scheduled during the peak festive shopping period.TRADERS' BODIES SEEK POSTPONEMENT OF NOVEMBER 1 RALLYThe Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI) has written its fourth letter to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, warning that the November 1 rally at Ramlila Maidan could disrupt business and transport operations across central Delhi.CTI Chairman Brijesh Goyal said the rally could lead to the closure of around 2.5 lakh shops and a halt in transport operations within a 10-km radius of the venue. He added that the disruption could affect nearly 80 per cent of business across 20 markets.Goyal said daily Diwali-season trade worth Rs 10,000-12,000 crore could be at risk due to the rally. He urged the Congress leadership to ensure that the political gathering does not affect traders' businesses and livelihoods.The CTI had earlier raised concerns over the rally being held during the peak festive shopping period and requested Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi to postpone it until after Diwali.The Federation of Sadar Bazar Traders Association had also written to Rahul Gandhi, highlighting the potential impact on businesses. In its letter, the association said the period from Dhanteras to Diwali accounts for an estimated business turnover of around Rs 25,000 crore.- Ends