Maha Rally Row: Traders Hit as Connaught Place Shops Shut

A political row has broken out in Delhi after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi accused the BJP of forcing shops in Connaught Place to shut ahead of a maha rally. The allegation was made in a video message released on X on November 1.

Gandhi, who is also the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, said he had urged people taking part in the march and rally to shop in the area. Once he reached Connaught Place, however, he claimed that the BJP had compelled all the shops to close. He said the public should see for themselves who is damaging the livelihoods of traders.

The visit to Connaught Place drew several prominent opposition figures. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Farooq Abdullah, Akhilesh Yadav, Supriya Sule, former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav were among those present, along with other leaders.

Earlier in the day, Gandhi had posted an invitation on X asking people to come to Connaught Place and walk together, or to meet him directly at Ramlila Maidan. He had also asked rally goers to buy goods from Delhi's markets during their visit.

Meanwhile, the Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI) has written to Gandhi about the situation. Its fourth letter, sent on Sunday morning, described an unprecedented crisis for Delhi's business community linked to the maha rally at Ramlila Maidan on November 1.

The chamber said about 2.5 lakh shops were likely to stay closed. It added that transport within a 10-kilometre radius of Ramlila Maidan would be completely disrupted, and nearly 80 percent of business could be hit. Although Gandhi has called on people to shop in the markets, CTI says the reality on the ground is the opposite.