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Concerns that the November 1st rally could disrupt Diwali-related trade
New Delhi : The Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI) wrote to senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi on Friday, requesting the postponement of the party’s mega-rally scheduled for November 1st at Ramlila Maidan. The traders’ organization has warned that this rally could disrupt business worth ₹10,000 crore to ₹12,000 crore across 20 major markets in the national capital.
Meanwhile, the Federation of Sadar Bazar Traders Association (FESTA) and the Grocery Committee of Khari Baoli, Delhi, have also written to senior INDIA alliance leaders Akhilesh Yadav and Mamata Banerjee, urging them to push the proposed Ramlila Maidan rally to a date after Diwali.
According to the CTI, the rally—proposed by the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi—is set to take place at a time when markets are at the peak of the Diwali shopping season. The organization points out that with Dhanteras (November 6th) and Diwali (November 8th) fast approaching, November 1st is expected to be one of the busiest days for the transportation of festive goods and the movement of customers.
In their letter, FESTA has earnestly requested: “On behalf of the lakhs of traders, shopkeepers, and small business owners in Delhi, we urge you to intervene personally. As experienced leaders of the alliance, please explain to Rahul Gandhi that a political event should not come at the cost of the most significant business season for traders.”
Report : Abhijit Tushar Bhatt (Political Editor)
