Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi has urged people attending the rally to support Delhi’s local traders by shopping after the protest, responding to concerns that the demonstration could disrupt business during the festive season.
In a video posted on X on Saturday, Gandhi said, “Tomorrow, along with protesting, marching and attending the rally, do a little shopping too. It will help our local traders.” He dismissed concerns about the rally’s impact on business, alleging that the BJP was spreading rumours because it was “scared”. “Let’s do both,” he said, urging people to attend the protest and shop at local markets.
The response came after the Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI), a little-known Delhi-based traders’ body, repeatedly appealed to Gandhi and other INDIA bloc leaders to postpone the rally until after Diwali. CTI chairman Brijesh Goyal said the rally, expected to draw a large crowd and thousands of vehicles, could disrupt business across around 20 wholesale and retail markets in central and Old Delhi during the festive shopping period. The body has estimated that trade worth Rs 10,000-12,000 crore could be affected, though no verification of this estimate exists.
