CTI writes to Sonia Gandhi to postpone the November 1 rally: Check Details and Key Updates

Delhi trade associations had earlier written a letter to Rahul Gandhi regarding the opposition parties' proposed rally at Ramlila Maidan on November 1, and now they've written a letter to Sonia Gandhi. Regarding the opposition rally proposed for November 1, the Chamber of Trade and Industry, known as CTI, has now written to Sonia Gandhi after Rahul Gandhi. CTI states that business in Delhi could come to a complete standstill on October 31 and November 1, creating an atmosphere of panic among the 20 lakh traders of Delhi. CTI wrote in its letter that the example of October 4 to October 10 is completely in front of us. On October 10, only 5000 to 7000 people came to Jantar Mantar, yet central Delhi experienced massive traffic jams for 8 hours. Now that 10 lakh people are coming, one can only imagine what will happen in Delhi.

CTI's two major demands from Sonia Gandhi

Trader organization CTI has placed its two primary demands before senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi. The first demand is that this proposed rally on November 1 should be rescheduled after Diwali, specifically after November 10 and 11, so that there is no disruption to business during Dhanteras and Deepawali. The second demand is that if the rally must be held, it should be shifted from Ramlila Maidan in central Delhi to Burari Maidan, where adequate parking space for 15,000 vehicles is readily available. Urging Sonia Gandhi, CTI stated that these 20 markets aren't just ordinary markets, but the true heartbeat of Delhi. A massive business ranging from 10,000 crore rupees to 12,000 crore rupees takes place here every single day.

Traders anxious about festival stock movement

Dhanteras falls on November 6, and traders are deeply terrified that if a lockdown-like situation and severe traffic gridlock occur in central Delhi on October 31 and November 1, how their goods for Dhanteras and Diwali will arrive and be dispatched. Also, everyday 3 lakh to 4 lakh people visit various prominent markets of Delhi from surrounding cities and towns for shopping, and they will also hesitate to visit due to these heavy jams and restrictions. CTI also wrote in the letter that respected Sonia ji, you've always listened carefully to the voice of small traders in the country. We strongly hope that you will listen to our important plea and postpone the rally until after Diwali. We had also appealed to Rahul Gandhi ji regarding this matter, but he declined. Now, the final hope of the country's traders rests solely with you.

Letters written to other opposition leaders as well

Apart from Rahul and Sonia Gandhi, various trade associations of Delhi have also written formal letters to Samajwadi Party national president Akhilesh Yadav and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, while the Sadar Bazar Trade Association Federation and Kirana Committee Delhi have explicitly stated that this rally could severely impact business in many wholesale markets during the peak festive season. Trade associations have made a special request to Akhilesh Yadav and Mamata Banerjee to raise this issue prominently before the central leadership of the Congress party as major leaders of the INDIA bloc constituent parties. In these letters written to Yadav and Banerjee, the organizations clearly stated that between Dhanteras and Diwali, trade worth approximately 25,000 crore rupees takes place in Delhi.

Heavy losses caused by previous protests and rallies

The organizations stated that due to various protests, rallies, and traffic restrictions held during the months of September and October, Delhi traders have already suffered massive losses of approximately 3,000 crore rupees. On top of that, trade associations issued a major warning that holding another large political gathering during this peak shopping season could cause additional losses of up to 10,000 crore rupees. They also explained in detail that its impact won't be limited to traders alone, but will rapidly spread to laborers, delivery personnel, and all other individuals whose daily livelihoods depend entirely on these commercial activities. The organizations concluded by detailing that within a 5-kilometer radius of Ramlila Maidan in central Delhi, there are approximately 20 major wholesale and retail markets, including Sadar Bazar, Khari Baoli, and Chandni Chowk, which will be directly affected by this disruption.