"History Was Made": UP Congress Hails Massive Surge at INDIA Bloc Rally
Aradhana Misra-Mona describes the INDIA bloc rally at Ramlila Maidan as a historic mass movement, while Congress and BJP clash over trade impact.
The political atmosphere in the national capital reached a fever pitch following the INDIA bloc's mega rally at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan. Uttar Pradesh Congress President Aradhana Misra-Mona has hailed the event as a historic turning point, citing an unprecedented turnout that she believes signals the start of a genuine mass movement.
A "Massive Surge" of Public Support
Speaking to ANI on Monday, Misra-Mona emphasized that the gathering transcended typical political mobilization. She noted that the energy brought by party workers, citizens, and members of civil society—particularly those traveling from neighboring Uttar Pradesh—was unparalleled.
"History was made yesterday at Ramlila Maidan. It was a historic turnout, not just a crowd, but a massive surge of people marking the beginning of a true mass movement," Misra-Mona stated.
The UP Congress leader further highlighted a significant trend: the return of lapsed supporters. She observed that individuals who had distanced themselves from active Congress politics for a long period were drawn back into the fold, joining hands with enthusiasm to strengthen the leadership of Rahul Gandhi.
The Core of the Protest
The massive gathering was organized by the INDIA bloc to protest alleged irregularities in electoral rolls and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise. The rally saw a powerful display of opposition unity, featuring top leaders including:
- Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha
- Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress President
- Mamata Banerjee, former West Bengal Chief Minister
- Akhilesh Yadav, Samajwadi Party Chief
The Battle of Narratives: Trade and Economy
While the political victory was being celebrated, a fierce debate erupted over the rally's impact on Delhi's local economy. Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh launched a scathing attack on the BJP, claiming that the ruling party's "propaganda has been punctured."
Taking to X, Ramesh alleged that the BJP had attempted to discourage attendance by spreading fear among traders and predicting market shutdowns. He countered this by claiming the rally actually boosted sales for local businesses, street vendors, and wholesale markets in Old Delhi.
Ramesh asserted that the BJP's "smear campaign" was a diversion to protect Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and hide issues of "vote theft." He further criticized Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and the BJP, stating that the public is no longer fooled by their "antics" after 12 years of governance.
Conflicting Claims on Financial Loss
However, the Congress narrative stands in stark contrast to the reports from the business community. Brijesh Goyal, Chairman of the Chamber of Trade & Industry (CTI), presented a much bleaker picture of the event's economic fallout.
According to Goyal, the trading sector in Delhi suffered a staggering estimated loss of Rs 10,000 to 11,000 crore. He claimed that disruptions caused by the rally affected 20 to 25 major markets in the vicinity, leading to the closure of approximately 2.5 lakh shops.