New Delhi: The Centre has extended the deployment of 270 Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) companies in Delhi until November 16, citing the INDIA bloc's November 1 rally, the possibility of flash protests and the need to maintain law and order during the festive season.

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Meanwhile, Delhi traders have urged Congress leader Sonia Gandhi to postpone the rally, warning that traffic restrictions could disrupt business across major markets during the crucial Diwali shopping period. Congress leader Pawan Khera has alleged that attempts are being made to prevent people from attending the demonstration.

According to official sources, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) approved the extension on Thursday following a request from the Delhi Police. The deployment, which was initially scheduled to continue until October 31, has now been extended for the third time this month.

The CAPF personnel have been placed at the disposal of the Delhi Police, which will coordinate their deployment. The forces were initially brought to the capital following protests by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) earlier in October.

Of the 270 companies, 125 are from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), including 17 women personnel units; 20 from the Rapid Action Force (RAF); 46 from the Border Security Force (BSF); 39 from the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP); 31 from the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB); and 12 from the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF).

A CAPF company has a sanctioned strength of 100 personnel, although its effective operational strength is generally around 70 to 72 personnel.

Why is the INDIA bloc organising the November 1 rally?

The Congress-led INDIA bloc has called a 'Chalo Dilli Ramlila March' against alleged electoral irregularities and what opposition parties describe as "vote chori". The demonstration will culminate at Ramlila Maidan in central Delhi on November 1.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has urged people to participate, describing the march as an effort to protect democracy and the Constitution. In a video message shared on X, he said the demonstration was not associated with any single political party.

The opposition has also been demanding action against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

The CJP had earlier staged protests in Delhi on October 9, demanding Kumar's resignation. It also organised a 'Lehra Do Tiranga' demonstration on October 16 and has extended support to the INDIA bloc rally.

Delhi traders urge Sonia Gandhi to postpone rally

As preparations for the rally continue, the Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI) has written to Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, requesting that the November 1 demonstration be postponed until after the Diwali shopping period.

The traders' body has warned that the expected arrival of around 10 lakh people and 15,000 to 20,000 vehicles could cause severe traffic congestion across central Delhi.

CTI Chairman Brijesh Goyal said the rally could disrupt commercial activity in around 20 major wholesale and retail markets located within a five-kilometre radius of Ramlila Maidan.

According to the trade body, these markets collectively record daily business turnover of approximately Rs 10,000 crore to Rs 12,000 crore. The traders are particularly concerned because Dhanteras falls on November 6 and Diwali on November 8, making the period important for inventory movement and festive shopping.

Goyal said the traders were not opposing the political demonstration but wanted to protect their livelihoods during the peak festive season.

The CTI has raised concerns about parking facilities at Ramlila Maidan, the movement of goods vehicles, possible road restrictions and the impact on businesses that depend on daily supplies.

Markets identified by the trade body include Chandni Chowk, Sadar Bazar, Connaught Place, Palika Bazar, Janpath, Bhagirath Palace, Khari Baoli, Kashmiri Gate, Naya Bazar, Karol Bagh, Gaffar Market and Daryaganj, among others.

The traders also pointed out that these markets depend on thousands of trucks and tempos carrying goods from industrial areas across Delhi. They fear that traffic restrictions and congestion could disrupt deliveries even before the rally begins.

The CTI has suggested two alternatives: rescheduling the rally until after November 10 or shifting it to Burari Maidan if the November 1 date cannot be changed.

Pawan Khera alleges attempts to stop people from attending rally

Congress leader Pawan Khera has alleged that attempts are being made in several states to prevent people from reaching Delhi for the November 1 demonstration.

Speaking to reporters after inspecting the rally venue on Thursday, Khera claimed that trains had been cancelled in Telangana and that people were being prevented from travelling to the capital.

"Pressure is being created. Trains were cancelled in Telangana and people were not allowed to come here. Such attempts are being made in several states. But we won't stop," he said.

Khera also dismissed the traders' request to postpone the rally, questioning whether similar appeals had been made to other political leaders organising demonstrations in Delhi.

He said the organisers were discussing arrangements to ensure that the rally proceeded smoothly without placing excessive pressure on the police or the organisers.

Indian Youth Congress president Uday Bhanu Chib said arrangements relating to the arrival of participants, seating and entry protocols for senior leaders had been inspected.

Congress general secretary KC Venugopal also said that people would proceed with a symbolic impeachment of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, after Parliament did not accept the opposition's impeachment motion.

With the rally scheduled for November 1, the preparations are continuing amid competing concerns over security, traffic management and the impact on Delhi's festive-season trade.

The extended CAPF deployment will remain in place until November 16, while the Delhi Police will coordinate security arrangements with the central forces.

The traders' body is awaiting a response from Congress leadership to its request for postponement or relocation. Congress leaders, meanwhile, have maintained that the rally will go ahead as planned.