Uproar over Ramlila Maidan rally; 2 million traders make an urgent appeal to Rahul Gandhi

Uproar over Ramlila Maidan rally; 2 million traders make an urgent appeal to Rahul Gandhi

With Diwali just around the corner, politics and commerce have come into direct conflict in Delhi. In light of the opposition’s mega-rally at Ramlila Maidan, Delhi’s traders have once again appealed to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. The Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI) has urged Rahul Gandhi, saying, “In the marketplace of politics, do not shut down the ‘shops of love’ (mohabbat ki dukan) belonging to traders.” The CTI claims that the rally could disrupt business across 20 major markets in Delhi. Traders have expressed concern that the Diwali-related business of 2 million merchants—valued at between 10,000 and 12,000 crore rupees—could be adversely affected. Meanwhile, the Congress party remains firm in its decision to hold the rally, which focuses on the issue of alleged ‘vote theft.’ The BJP, too, has launched an attack on the Congress regarding this rally.