‘We don't want a fight’: CTI request 20-min meeting with Rahul Gandhi to defer Nov 1 rally

New Delhi: The Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI) on Wednesday requested a 20-minute meeting with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to raise commercial concerns over prospective business disruptions caused by a planned INDIA bloc rally at Ramlila Maidan on November 1, urging a postponement of the event.

In a letter addressed to Gandhi, CTI Chairman Brijesh Goyal stated that representatives from 20 major markets wish to present how the gathering, projected to draw up to 10 lakh attendees, could adversely impact festive trade ahead of Diwali.

The correspondence marks the second time in four days that the CTI has appealed to Gandhi on the issue. In its initial letter to the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha on October 24, the business body argued that rescheduling the rally until after Diwali would safeguard commercial activity during one of the most lucrative shopping periods of the year.

In Wednesday's letter, Goyal wrote: "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 added that traders would call off their objections if Gandhi could demonstrate that the rally would enhance footfall and bolster local business. Conversely, if traders succeed in showing that the event would incur financial losses, Gandhi should agree to defer the demonstration until after the festival.

The trading hubs highlighted by the CTI encompass Chandni Chowk, Bhagirath Palace, Khari Baoli, Sadar Bazar, Chawri Bazar, Kashmere Gate, Nabi Karim, Karol Bagh, Ajmeri Gate, and Daryaganj.

The list of affected commercial zones further includes Nai Sarak, Kinari Bazar, Dariba Kalan, Fatehpuri, Naya Bazar, Filmistan, Paharganj, Gaffar Market, Jama Masjid-Meena Bazar, and Lajpat Rai Market.

According to the CTI, these commercial hubs sit within a one- to five-kilometre radius of Ramlila Maidan and risk significant operational bottlenecks as a result of the event.

The planned rally by the opposition INDIA bloc aims to escalate pressure on the government concerning the "vote chori" (vote theft) controversy, alongside demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

On October 12, agitations over the matter reached the Supreme Court, with opposition leaders including Gandhi, civil rights activists, and community figures participating in a 'March for Democracy' along barricaded routes in the capital to submit a joint petition challenging the SIR process.

Gandhi subsequently hosted leaders from the INDIA alliance for a strategy session at his residence on October 13, following which the opposition coalition pledged to sustain its campaign and pursue the matter to its logical conclusion.

ANI