New Delhi, October 31, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI) has appealed to senior INDIA Bloc leaders to postpone the opposition alliance’s November 1 rally in Delhi until after Diwali, warning that the event could severely disrupt business across the national Capital’s major markets during the peak festive shopping season.
In letters addressed to leaders including Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav and Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray, the traders’ body claimed that the rally could affect daily business worth ₹10,000–12,000 crore across 20 historic markets.
CTI Chairman Brijesh Goyal said the organisation had already written three times to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi but had received no favourable response. Appealing to the other INDIA Bloc leaders, the CTI said, “We have already sent three letters to Rahul Gandhi with our request; now, you are our last hope.”
The traders’ body said November 1 was particularly crucial for preparations ahead of Dhanteras on November 6 and Diwali on November 8. It warned that the expected gathering of 10 lakh people, along with 15,000–20,000 vehicles, could trigger a major traffic gridlock in Central and Old Delhi.
The CTI also claimed that the disruption could begin on October 31 itself, as buses and other vehicles might start arriving at Delhi’s borders and transporters were reportedly reluctant to dispatch goods to the markets.
The affected trading centres include Chandni Chowk, Sadar Bazar, Connaught Place, Khari Baoli, Bhagirath Palace, Karol Bagh and several other wholesale and retail hubs. According to the CTI, these markets receive around 5,000 trucks and tempos daily and dispatch nearly 3,000 vehicles carrying goods to destinations across the NCR and other states.
The traders’ body proposed postponing the rally to November 10 or 11. Alternatively, it suggested shifting the venue from Ramlila Maidan to Burari Maidan, which it said has parking capacity for around 15,000 vehicles.
Goyal maintained that the traders were not opposing the rally but wanted to protect businesses and ensure the uninterrupted movement of goods during the festive season.
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