Rahul Gandhi Responds to Delhi Traders Over November 1 Rally, Renews Demand to Remove CEC
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has responded to concerns raised by Delhi’s trading community over the INDIA bloc’s planned rally at Ramlila Maidan on November 1, 2026. Gandhi said he understood the concerns of traders but maintained that the opposition’s protests against alleged irregularities in the electoral process would stop if Prime Minister Narendra Modi removed Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
In a social media post on October 26, Gandhi addressed traders directly, saying that the Congress heard their concerns. He linked the disruption faced by businesses during previous protests to restrictions on roads and public transport in the national capital. He also urged traders to ask the Prime Minister to remove Kumar, saying the protests would end within 30 seconds if that demand was met.
The response came after the Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI) asked the Congress leadership to postpone the planned rally until after November 10, citing concerns about business activity during the festive shopping season.
Delhi Traders Seek Postponement of INDIA Bloc Rally
The INDIA bloc has planned a rally at Ramlila Maidan in Delhi for November 1 as part of its campaign against what opposition leaders describe as vote theft and irregularities in the electoral process.
The CTI, which represents traders in the capital, wrote to Gandhi on October 24 requesting that the event be rescheduled to a date after November 10. The organisation said large gatherings, traffic diversions and possible transport restrictions could affect customer access to wholesale and retail markets during a crucial period for businesses.
The timing is a key concern because several major festivals fall in the days following the proposed rally. Dhanteras is scheduled for November 6, Diwali for November 8 and Bhai Dooj for November 10. Traders say customers begin shopping well before the main festival dates, making the final days of October and the first week of November particularly important for sales.
According to the CTI, around 20 major wholesale and retail markets are located within approximately five kilometres of Ramlila Maidan. These include Chandni Chowk, Sadar Bazar, Khari Baoli, Bhagirath Palace and Karol Bagh.
The traders’ body has warned that road closures, security arrangements and traffic diversions could make it difficult for customers and wholesale buyers to reach these markets. It has also expressed concern about congestion around the Old Delhi and New Delhi railway stations.
Traders Cite Potential Business Losses
The CTI has argued that postponing the rally would help protect businesses during the festive shopping period. The organisation estimated that Dhanteras-related business in Delhi could be worth around Rs 25,000 crore. It also claimed that earlier demonstrations, road closures and traffic restrictions in central Delhi had caused losses of approximately Rs 3,000 crore for retail and wholesale traders.
These figures are estimates provided by the traders’ organisation and have not been independently established in the statements cited in reports about the dispute.
The CTI has acknowledged the right of political parties to organise peaceful rallies but has urged the opposition alliance to consider the economic impact on shopkeepers, wholesalers, small businesses and customers.
The request has placed the INDIA bloc leadership in a position of having to consider the timing of its political campaign alongside the concerns raised by businesses operating near the proposed venue.
Mallikarjun Kharge Says Traders’ Appeal Will Be Considered
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has indicated that the opposition leadership will consider the traders’ request before making a decision on the rally.
Speaking to reporters in Patna on October 26, Kharge said the leadership had received the appeal and would discuss it over the next day or two to find a solution. He maintained that the opposition’s campaign against alleged vote theft was important, while acknowledging that the rally was also intended to serve the public.
Kharge argued that concerns about electoral rights were relevant to citizens across different sections of society, including traders and students. However, he said the business community’s request would be taken into account.
His remarks suggested that the alliance was open to discussing the rally’s scheduling, but no final decision to postpone the November 1 event had been announced as of October 26.
Congress Continues Its Demand for Action Against the Chief Election Commissioner
Gandhi’s response also reiterated the Congress party’s demand for action against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The opposition has raised concerns about the Election Commission’s handling of electoral processes, particularly the Special Intensive Revision, or SIR, of electoral rolls.
Congress leaders have alleged that the process raises questions about transparency and voters’ rights. The party has also demanded changes relating to the Election Commission and the legal framework governing election commissioners.
These allegations remain political claims made by the opposition and should not be treated as established proof of electoral fraud. The distinction is important as the dispute involves the conduct of a constitutional institution and the credibility of the electoral process.
Gandhi’s statement connected the opposition’s campaign with the everyday concerns of traders, arguing that questions about voting rights and electoral accountability affect more than political parties alone.
Rally Decision Remains Pending
The planned November 1 gathering has become the focus of two connected issues: the INDIA bloc’s campaign over alleged electoral irregularities and the business community’s concern about possible disruption during the festive season.
The Congress leadership has indicated that it will consider the traders’ appeal, while Gandhi has maintained the party’s demand for the removal of the Chief Election Commissioner. The CTI, meanwhile, is seeking a date after November 10 to avoid the busiest period of festive shopping.
As of October 26, 2026, the rally remained scheduled for November 1, with the opposition leadership yet to announce whether it would be postponed. The final decision is expected to determine whether the event proceeds as planned or is moved to a later date.
The developments underline the challenge of balancing political demonstrations with the commercial needs of a busy urban centre. Further announcements from the INDIA bloc and the Congress leadership will clarify the rally schedule and any arrangements intended to address traders’ concerns.
