CTI writes to Rahul Gandhi again on INDIA bloc's Nov 1 rally amid diwali

CTI writes to Rahul Gandhi again on INDIA bloc's November 1 rally, seeks meeting left The opposition INDIA bloc's rally seeks to ramp up pressure on the government over the "vote chori" issue and for the CEC's resignation over alleged irregularities in the SIR of electoral rolls. Image for representational purpose only. PTI PTI https://th-i.thgim.com/public/incoming/s76d5z/article71634437.ece/alternates/FREE_1200/PTI10_12_2026_000211A.jpg ARUN SHARMA New Delhi: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi during a "March for Democracy" to the Supreme Court against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, in New Delhi, Monday, Oct. 12, 2026. (PTI Photo/Arun Sharma)(PTI10_12_2026_000211A)

In a letter to Mr. Gandhi, CTI chairman Brijesh Goyal said representatives of 20 markets wanted to explain how the proposed rally could disrupt business ahead of Diwali

New Delhi

The Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI) on Wednesday (October 28, 2026) sought a 20-minute meeting with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to flag traders' concerns over business disruption due to the November 1 INDIA bloc rally at Ramlila Maidan in Delhi and seek its postponement.

CTI urges Rahul Gandhi to defer Nov 1 INDIA bloc rally, warns of ₹10,000 crore trade loss storyline 1 CTI seeks ban on protests in Delhi till Diwali, says business hit CTI seeks ban on protests in Delhi till Diwali, says business hit The organisation said restrictions are needed to protect the business of around 15 lakh traders in the national capital. CTI seeks ban on protests in Delhi till Diwali, says business hit storyline 1

In a letter to Mr. Gandhi, CTI chairman Brijesh Goyal said representatives of 20 markets wanted to explain how the proposed rally, expected to draw 10 lakh people, could disrupt business during the festive season ahead of Diwali.

This is the second time CTI has written to Mr. Gandhi in four days urging him to postpone the rally until after Diwali. In its first letter to the Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha on October 24, the CTI had said the postponement would help protect business activity during one of the busiest periods of the year.

In Wednesday's (October 28, 2026) letter, Mr. Goyal said, "We don't want a fight; we want dialogue. Rahul ji himself says that he listens to everyone, listens to the voice of small traders. So, we traders from 20 markets are asking him for 20 minutes. This will be the beauty of democracy."

The traders would withdraw their protest if Mr. Gandhi convinced them that the rally would boost business and attract more customers. However, if they convince him that it would cause losses, then he should postpone the rally until after Diwali, the CTI chief said.

The markets identified by CTI include Chandni Chowk, Bhagirath Palace, Khari Baoli, Sadar Bazar, Chawri Bazar, Kashmere Gate, Nabi Karim, Karol Bagh, Ajmeri Gate and Daryaganj, among others.

The other markets are Nai Sarak, Kinari Bazar, Dariba Kalan, Fatehpuri, Naya Bazar, Filmistan, Paharganj, Gaffar Market, Jama Masjid-Meena Bazar and Lajpat Rai Market.

According to the CTI, the markets are located within a 1 to 5 km radius of Ramlila Maidan and could face business disruptions due to the rally.

Delhi traders flag potential impact on 21 markets from November 1 Congress rally, seek postponement

Delhi traders flag potential impact on 21 markets from November 1 Congress rally, seek postponement

It projected that the November 1 rally could bring commercial activity across Old Delhi to a standstill, resulting in losses of up to ₹10,000 crore

Tell Modi to sack Gyanesh Kumar, protests will stop in 30 seconds: Rahul to traders

Tell Modi to sack Gyanesh Kumar, protests will stop in 30 seconds: Rahul to traders

The Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI) has urged Mr. Gandhi to postpone the INDIA bloc's November 1 rally at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan until after November 10, warning that it could disrupt business worth ₹10,000 crore during the peak Diwali shopping season

INDIA bloc leaders' virtual meeting to discuss roadmap for 'vote chori' protests deferred

INDIA bloc leaders' virtual meeting to discuss roadmap for 'vote chori' protests deferred

The INDIA bloc leaders were to brainstorm on charting out the roadmap of protests, review the preparations for the November 1 rally and discuss ways to corner the government over the 'vote chori' issue

Hundreds demand removal of Gyanesh Kumar in anti-SIR protest in Hyderabad

Hundreds demand removal of Gyanesh Kumar in anti-SIR protest in Hyderabad

'Desist from targeting Hindu festivals, economy': VHP to Opposition over November 1 rally

'Desist from targeting Hindu festivals, economy': VHP to Opposition over November 1 rally

The remarks came a day after traders held a protest at Kashmere Gate in New Delhi, demanding that Congress defer the November 1 rally until after Diwali.

The opposition INDIA bloc's rally seeks to ramp up pressure on the government over the "vote chori" issue and for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar's resignation over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

On October 12, the protests against "vote theft" reached the Supreme Court's doorstep, with opposition leaders, including Mr. Gandhi, activists and civil society members participating in a 'March for Democracy' along a heavily barricaded route in Delhi and filing a joint petition against the SIR.

Mr. Gandhi hosted INDIA bloc leaders for tea at his home on October 13. After the meeting, the opposition bloc vowed to continue resisting and to take the fight to its logical conclusion.

Delhi traders flag potential impact on 21 markets from November 1 Congress rally, seek postponement Delhi traders flag potential impact on 21 markets from November 1 Congress rally, seek postponement It projected that the November 1 rally could bring commercial activity across Old Delhi to a standstill, resulting in losses of up to ₹10,000 crore Delhi traders flag potential impact on 21 markets from November 1 Congress rally, seek postponement storyline 1 Tell Modi to sack Gyanesh Kumar, protests will stop in 30 seconds: Rahul to traders Tell Modi to sack Gyanesh Kumar, protests will stop in 30 seconds: Rahul to traders The Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI) has urged Mr.

Gandhi to postpone the INDIA bloc's November 1 rally at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan until after November 10, warning that it could disrupt business worth ₹10,000 crore during the peak Diwali shopping season Tell Modi to sack Gyanesh Kumar, protests will stop in 30 seconds: Rahul to traders storyline 1 INDIA bloc leaders' virtual meeting to discuss roadmap for 'vote chori' protests deferred INDIA bloc leaders' virtual meeting to discuss roadmap for 'vote chori' protests deferred The INDIA bloc leaders were to brainstorm on charting out the roadmap of protests, review the preparations for the November 1 rally and discuss ways to corner the government over the 'vote chori' issue INDIA bloc leaders' virtual meeting to discuss roadmap for 'vote chori' protests deferred storyline 1 Hundreds demand removal of Gyanesh Kumar in anti-SIR protest in Hyderabad Hundreds demand removal of Gyanesh Kumar in anti-SIR protest in Hyderabad Hundreds demand removal of Gyanesh Kumar in anti-SIR protest in Hyderabad storyline 1 'Desist from targeting Hindu festivals, economy': VHP to Opposition over November 1 rally 'Desist from targeting Hindu festivals, economy': VHP to Opposition over November 1 rally The remarks came a day after traders held a protest at Kashmere Gate in New Delhi, demanding that Congress defer the November 1 rally until after Diwali. 'Desist from targeting Hindu festivals, economy': VHP to Opposition over November 1 rally storyline 1