The Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI) sent a second letter to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday, demanding a postponement of the INDIA bloc rally slated for November 1 at Ramlila Maidan. The letter cites a projected 1 lakh attendees that could choke traffic and stall commerce.
Representatives from 20 key markets—Chandni Chowk, Khari Baoli, Karol Bagh, and others—stand within 5 km of the venue. They fear that the influx of crowds will choke street vendors and hurt daily sales; a trader from Chandni Chowk lamented the loss of two days’ worth of revenue if the rally proceeds.
Goyal writes that the traders want a 20‑minute dialogue, not a confrontation, and will withdraw their protest if the rally can be shown to benefit business. "If it brings more customers, we will back off," he added.
The INDIA rally, part of a broader campaign to pressure the government over the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, is expected to draw 1 lakh people. Opposition leaders have already staged a 'March for Democracy' and filed a joint petition against the SIR.
Gandhi has until Thursday to respond; if he agrees to postpone, the rally could be shifted to post‑Diwali, according to CTI. If he rejects the request, the traders will press their case to the public.