Brijesh Goyal, chairman of the Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI), sent a formal letter to Rahul Gandhi on Monday, outlining the collective concerns of twenty key Delhi markets within a five‑kilometre radius of Ramlila Maidan.
The markets – from Chandni Chowk’s spice stalls to Karol Bagh’s jewellery shops – generate an estimated Rs 10 000 crore in annual trade, and traders warn that a massive crowd could choke foot traffic during the peak Diwali shopping season.
In a recent social‑media post, Gandhi hinted that the rally would go ahead despite trader objections, even suggesting it could be shortened to “30 seconds” if the Prime Minister removed Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
CTI’s proposal is two‑pronged: if Gandhi can demonstrate that the 10‑lakh gathering will boost customer footfall and revenue, the traders will welcome the event; if not, they urge postponement until Diwali, citing the phrase “mohabbat ki dukaan” to emphasise their desire to keep the market alive.
Local shopkeeper Rajesh Singh, a vendor in Khari Baoli, said, “We’re willing to sit with him, but our shelves need to stay full.” His sentiment echoes a broader fear that the rally could disrupt supply chains and stall sales during the most lucrative month.
Goyal is awaiting Gandhi’s reply; the CTI has set a deadline of Wednesday for a response. If the leader declines, the traders plan to press for a postponement, potentially shifting the rally to the Diwali period when footfall is already high.