Delhi Diwali business losses 2026

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has responded to concerns raised by Delhi traders over the INDIA bloc's planned November 1 protest at Ramlila Maidan, saying the demonstrations would end if Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar were removed. His remarks on Monday, October 26, 2026, followed warnings from business associations that political rallies and traffic restrictions could disrupt trade worth thousands of crores during the Diwali shopping season. Rahul Gandhi Responds to Delhi Traders' Concerns Gandhi expressed solidarity with Delhi's trading community, accusing the government of disrupting commercial activities by restricting Metro services, closing roads and imposing security measures across the capital. He linked the restrictions to his allegations of electoral malpractice, commonly described by Congress as vote theft. Gandhi demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi remove Gyanesh Kumar, whom he referred to as Accused No. 4, claiming the protests would stop within 30 seconds if the demand were met. Delhi Traders Warn of ₹10,000 Crore Business Disruption The Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI) urged Gandhi to postpone the November 1 rally until after November 10. CTI chairman Brijesh Goyal warned that demonstrations around Ramlila Maidan could disrupt commercial activity worth approximately ₹10,000 crore during the festive shopping period. The organisation estimated that Delhi's Dhanteras-related trade across jewellery, electronics, textiles, automobiles and other sectors could reach ₹25,000 crore. Traders also claimed that rallies, marches and road closures had already caused approximately ₹3,000 crore in business losses during October. Congress Faces Pressure Over November 1 Protest Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge indicated that the party would carefully consider the traders' concerns. The INDIA bloc's planned demonstration forms part of its continuing campaign against alleged electoral irregularities and the Election Commission's leadership. However, the opposition has not announced whether the rally will be postponed. The dispute has brought attention to the economic consequences of political demonstrations during one of Delhi's busiest retail periods.

Rahul Gandhi Responds to Delhi Traders’ Protest Plea

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