Delhi's traders have approached several INDIA bloc leaders, including Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav and Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray, seeking their intervention to postpone the Opposition's November 1 rally at Ramlila Maidan.
The Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI) has written to the leaders, urging them to persuade the Congress to reschedule the rally to a date after November 10-11, citing the potential impact on business during the peak Diwali shopping season.
The traders' body has warned that daily business worth Rs 10,000-12,000 crore across around 20 major wholesale and retail markets in central and Old Delhi could be affected by the gathering.
CTI chairman Brijesh Goyal said the organisation was not opposed to the rally but feared that the expected gathering of around 10 lakh people and 15,000-20,000 vehicles could bring commercial activity in the area to a standstill.
Dhanteras falls on November 6, while Diwali will be celebrated on November 8. Traders say November 1 is a crucial day for stocking goods and preparing for the festive rush.
The association has also flagged inadequate parking facilities at Ramlila Maidan, warning that vehicles carrying rally participants could cause severe traffic congestion on roads around the venue, including Jawaharlal Nehru Marg, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg and Netaji Subhash Marg.
Markets such as Chandni Chowk, Sadar Bazar, Khari Baoli, Bhagirath Palace, Chawri Bazar, Karol Bagh and Daryaganj could face disruptions, the traders' body has said.
The CTI has claimed that these markets receive around 5,000 trucks and tempos carrying goods from Delhi's industrial areas every day, while another 3,000 vehicles transport merchandise to the National Capital Region and other parts of the country.
The latest appeal comes after the traders' body approached Rahul Gandhi multiple times, urging him to postpone the rally. Gandhi had earlier said he had heard their concerns and remarked that the protest could end in 30 seconds if Prime Minister Narendra Modi removed Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The traders have proposed either postponing the rally until after Diwali or shifting it to Burari Grounds, which they say has parking space for around 15,000 vehicles.
The November 1 rally is part of the INDIA bloc's campaign against alleged electoral irregularities and its demand for the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
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