Kharge's Mixed Signals, Rahul's '30 Seconds' Remark, Traders' Fears: Will INDIA Bloc Still Hold Nov 1 Rally?

News india Kharge's Mixed Signals, Rahul's '30 Seconds' Remark, Traders' Fears: Will INDIA Bloc Still Hold Nov 1 Rally?

Last Updated:October 26, 2026, 15:22 IST

The Chamber of Trade and Industry has warned that the rally could disrupt business across nearly 20 major wholesale, retail markets within a five-kilometre radius of Ramlila Maidan

The Congress-led INDIA bloc’s November 1 rally at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan remains at the centre of a standoff between the Opposition’s ‘Vote Chori’ campaign and the capital’s traders, who are seeking a postponement to protect festive-season business.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said on Monday morning that the party would discuss the traders’ appeal with its INDIA bloc allies and find a solution, raising hopes among the business community that the rally could be deferred. However, later, Kharge renewed his appeal for people to attend the November 1 ‘Save Votes–Save the Nation’ rally, leaving the question of whether the event will go ahead as scheduled unresolved.

Rahul Gandhi, meanwhile, responded to traders’ concerns by saying that the protests would stop “in 30 seconds" if Prime Minister Narendra Modi removed Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

“To every trader in Delhi: We love you and hear you," Gandhi wrote on X, alleging that the government had shut metro services, sealed roads and effectively locked down the capital.

“With a stolen vote nothing is safe — your shop, your savings, your children’s future," he said, adding: “Tell Modi to sack accused no. 4, Gyanesh Kumar and the protests will stop in 30 seconds."

The remarks came as the Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI) pressed the Congress leadership to shift the rally to a date after November 10, when the peak festive shopping period would have ended.

Why Traders Are Concerned

CTI chairman Brijesh Goyal said Kharge’s morning remarks had given Delhi’s traders a “ray of hope". The trade body has written to the Congress president, urging him to take a final decision at the next meeting of the party and its allies, keeping the livelihoods of traders in mind.

The CTI has warned that the rally could disrupt business across nearly 20 major wholesale and retail markets within a five-kilometre radius of Ramlila Maidan. These include Chandni Chowk, Sadar Bazaar, Khari Baoli, Bhagirath Palace, Chawri Bazaar and Karol Bagh.

According to the trade body, around three lakh traders operate in these markets, with the livelihoods of nearly 15 lakh people linked to them when families and shop employees are included.

The timing is a key concern. Dhanteras falls on November 6, followed by Diwali on November 8 and Bhai Dooj on November 10. The CTI estimates that Dhanteras alone generates around Rs 25,000 crore in business in Delhi and has warned that restrictions on roads, public transport and market access could affect sales during this crucial period.

The organisation also claims that protests and traffic restrictions over the previous 25 days had already caused business losses of around Rs 3,000 crore. If disruptions continue through Diwali, it fears losses could exceed Rs 10,000 crore.

The traders have also cited the October 10 demonstration at Jantar Mantar, alleging that road closures and Metro disruptions created lockdown-like conditions across parts of Delhi. They fear similar disruption if a large crowd gathers at Ramlila Maidan just days before the festival.

Why INDIA Bloc Wants Rally To Proceed

The proposed rally is part of the Opposition’s campaign against alleged electoral irregularities and the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The Congress and its allies have demanded action against CEC Gyanesh Kumar, alleging that the electoral process has been compromised.

Kharge has argued that the campaign concerns the democratic rights of citizens and cannot be separated from the interests of traders and students. “If people do not have the right to vote, no trader can conduct business, and no student aspiring to build a future will receive any support," he said, while acknowledging the traders’ request.

In a subsequent appeal, Kharge urged citizens to join the November 1 ‘Save Votes–Save the Nation’ march and mega rally at Ramlila Maidan. He reiterated the Opposition’s demands, including Kumar’s resignation, an immediate halt to the SIR process and the restoration of voters’ names allegedly removed from electoral rolls.

The Congress has also sought to mobilise people beyond its traditional political base, with Gandhi previously calling on students, farmers, workers, women, young people and traders to join the campaign.

Until the Congress and its allies announce a final decision, the November 1 event remains scheduled for Ramlila Maidan. The immediate test for the Opposition is whether it can accommodate the traders’ concerns without diluting a mobilisation it has presented as central to its campaign against alleged ‘vote chori’.

About the Author

Apoorva Misra

Apoorva Misra is an Associate Editor at News18.com with a keen interest in politics and current affairs. She loves uncovering fresh angles and telling stories through long-form features and explainers...Read More

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