Chamber Requests Post-Diwali Date for Ramlila Maidan Rally

New Delhi, October 24: The Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI) has formally asked Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to reschedule a proposed rally at Ramlila Maidan, currently planned for November 1, to a date after November 10.

The request comes as Delhi's traders voice growing unease about the impact of political gatherings during the festive season. Several trade organisations say that the city's markets have been under pressure for months.

In a letter to Rahul Gandhi, who is the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and a Congress MP, the CTI cited the busy Diwali shopping period as the main reason for its appeal.

CTI Chairman Brijesh Goyal said that the rally could disrupt business for three to four days. He estimated that trade worth as much as Rs 10,000 crore could be affected. He also pointed out that about 20 large wholesale and retail markets are located within a 5-km radius of the Ramlila Maidan venue.

The chamber said that losses from rallies and road closures in October had already reached around Rs 3,000 crore for Delhi's traders. For many small and medium businesses, it said, the festive period is essential for recovering from earlier setbacks.

Traders' concerns are not limited to the CTI. Praveen Khandelwal, a BJP MP, has said that protests and rallies in Delhi in recent months have caused losses of about Rs 4,000 crore. Atul Bhargava, President of the New Delhi Traders Association, has also urged political parties and protesters to avoid events before Diwali that could affect markets.

Traders argue that the festive season is crucial because a large part of the year's business takes place between October and January. They say that wholesale buyers from other states who visit Delhi during this time may stay away if traffic is disrupted.

The demand for a new date reflects a broader appeal from business groups for balance between political activity and the economic interests of the city. Traders hope that organisers will take their concerns into account before finalising the schedule.