Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi by stating that the opposition's upcoming protest could come to a halt in just thirty seconds if Gyanesh Kumar is removed from his position. In a post shared on the social media platform X while addressing traders in Delhi, Gandhi asserted that the Congress party is listening to their concerns and standing firmly alongside them. He alleged that the government was responsible for shutting down the metro, sealing roads, and placing a virtual lock on the capital.
Concerns Over Electoral Integrity and Business Safety
The Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha claimed that when votes are compromised, nobody's shop, savings, or children's future can remain secure. Addressing the traders, he remarked that asking the government to remove the individual he referred to as the fourth accused would immediately resolve the ongoing agitation. However, the Congress leader did not clarify the specific context behind that designation in his public statement.
The Upcoming Opposition Rally at Ramlila Maidan
The context stems from the opposition INDIA bloc's scheduled rally against alleged vote theft, which is set to take place at Ramlila Maidan on November 1. In response to this announcement, Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI) Chairman Brijesh Goyal had previously written a letter to Rahul Gandhi expressing concern. The trade body noted that the timing of the rally could severely impact wholesale and retail markets surrounding the venue precisely when merchants anticipate a massive influx of customers ahead of major festivals.
Festive Season Business Impact in Delhi
According to traders' organizations, Delhi witnesses a massive business turnover of approximately INR 25,000 crore around Dhanteras across various sectors, including gold, silver, electronics, garments, utensils, dry fruits, sweets, vehicles, real estate, and gift items. Dhanteras falls on November 6 this year, followed by Diwali on November 8 and Bhai Dooj on November 10. Since market activity naturally surges about a week before these celebrations, the timing of the political gathering has become a major point of anxiety for local merchants.
