Rahul Gandhi urges rally participants to shop at Delhi markets
The Congress leader said marchers would support local traders despite BJP claims that the protest would disrupt business.
Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Saturday asked people attending the November 1 INDIA bloc rally to purchase goods from Delhi traders. Gandhi said that while people participate in the protest and march, they should also do shopping to benefit local shops during the festive season.
The Congress leader claimed the BJP is spreading rumours that the rally will harm business. Gandhi stated that lakhs of people coming to the city for the Ramlila March would buy items directly from small traders.
The rally at Ramlila Maidan is being held by the INDIA bloc to protest against CEC Gyanesh Kumar and the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. The demonstration follows a mock Parliament on October 31 where Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge moved a resolution against the CEC.
The Chamber of Trade and Industry and the Federation of Sadar Bazar Traders Association had requested the rally be rescheduled. The trade bodies expressed concerns that 10 lakh people and up to 20,000 vehicles could cause traffic gridlock during the Diwali period.
The Federation of Sadar Bazar Traders Association noted that the period from Dhanteras to Diwali sees a business turnover of around Rs 25,000 crore. They requested the rally be moved until after November 10 to protect the livelihoods of workers and small business owners.