20 Lakh Traders at Risk: CTI Urges Kharge to Defer Nov 1 Rally
CTI Chairman Brijesh Goyal warns that the INDIA bloc's Nov 1 rally could cause a Rs 10,000 crore loss for Delhi traders.
The Chamber of Trade & Industry (CTI) has sounded an alarm over the upcoming mega rally planned by the INDIA bloc for November 1 at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan. CTI Chairman Brijesh Goyal has formally urged Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge to reschedule the event to a date after Diwali, warning that the livelihoods of approximately 20 lakh traders are hanging in the balance.
Fear of Economic Collapse During Festive Peak
Speaking to ANI, Goyal highlighted the critical nature of the timing. With major festivals like Dhanteras (November 6), Diwali (November 8), and Bhai Dooj (November 10) approaching, the national capital's wholesale markets are in their peak trading window. The CTI fears that a massive gathering will lead to severe disruptions in movement and access to these commercial hubs.
The Chairman pointed out that Ramlila Maidan is surrounded by 20 major wholesale markets within a five-kilometer radius. These hubs are vital for the economy, as goods worth crores of rupees are dispatched from here daily to various parts of India and international destinations.
The Infrastructure Nightmare: 1 Million People vs 50,000 Capacity
One of the primary concerns raised by the CTI is the sheer scale of the expected crowd. While the venue's capacity is estimated at 50,000, claims have been made that up to 1 million people will attend the rally. Goyal questioned whether the city's infrastructure and transportation systems could survive such a surge.
The trade body anticipates several restrictive measures by the authorities to manage the crowd, including:
- The potential closure of key metro stations.
- The installation of extensive police barricades.
- The forced shutdown of nearby markets.
Such measures would prevent an estimated 300,000 to 400,000 daily shoppers from accessing the markets, further crippling the business community.
Staggering Financial Losses
The CTI provided alarming figures regarding the financial impact on Delhi's trade sector. According to Goyal, the city's traders have already suffered a loss of Rs 3,000 crore over the last 25 days. The Chairman estimates that if the November 1 rally proceeds as planned, it could result in an additional loss of Rs 10,000 crore.
Appeal to the INDIA Bloc
The CTI has already reached out to Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, requesting a postponement until after November 10. Now, the body is urging Mallikarjun Kharge to pass a formal resolution during the upcoming INDIA bloc meeting to move the date.
"We urge him—in the upcoming meeting of the 'INDIA' bloc—to pass a resolution to reschedule the November 1st rally to a date after Diwali, keeping in mind the livelihoods of 2 million (20 lakh) traders," Goyal stated.
Congress Response
The opposition leadership has shown a willingness to listen. While in Patna, Mallikarjun Kharge acknowledged the appeal from the business community, stating that the leadership would deliberate on the matter to find a solution. He emphasized that their actions are intended for the public good, suggesting that a compromise may be reached soon.
The rally is intended to protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise of electoral rolls.