Ahead of the INDIA bloc’s November 1 rally at Ramlila Maidan, Rahul Gandhi has appealed to participants arriving in the national capital to support local traders by shopping at Delhi’s markets. The Congress leader’s message comes amid concerns among business associations that the large gathering could affect commercial activity during the festive season, particularly in the run-up to Diwali.
In a post on X on Saturday, Rahul Gandhi said the rally would not harm traders and accused the BJP of spreading rumours about its possible impact on business. He also urged people travelling from outside Delhi to combine their participation in the march and rally with shopping at small local establishments. The appeal by Rahul Gandhi to Delhi traders comes against the backdrop of requests from merchant associations to postpone the demonstration until after the festive rush.
Rahul Gandhi asks rally participants to shop at local markets
In his video message, Rahul Gandhi greeted people ahead of Diwali, Chhath and Bhai Dooj and asked those arriving in Delhi for the Ramlila Maidan demonstration to support the city’s trading community.
नमस्कार, कल लाखों लोग रामलीला मार्च के लिए दिल्ली आ रहे हैं। त्यौहारों का मौसम है। दिवाली, छठ, भाईदूज का समय है। मैं चाहता हूं जो लाखों लोग बाहर से दिल्ली आ रहे हैं, वो यहां के व्यापारियों की मदद करें। प्रोटेस्ट, मार्च, रैली कीजिए, साथ में थोड़ी सी खरीदारी भी कीजिए – व्यापारियों का फायदा हो जाएगा। मैं जानता हूं व्यापारियों को रैली नुकसान नहीं पहुंचाएगी। BJP डरी हुई है इसलिए अफवाह फैला रही है। मगर, दोनों काम करते हैं। कल मार्च होगा, रैली होगी और लाखों लोग हमारे व्यापारियों की छोटी-छोटी दुकानों में से सामान खरीदेंगे। आप सबको बहुत-बहुत प्यार। शुभ दिवाली। जय हिंद। Tomorrow, lakhs of people are coming to Delhi for the Ramlila March. It is the festive season. Diwali, Chhath and Bhai Dooj are here. I want the lakhs of people coming to Delhi from different parts of the country to support the local traders here. Tomorrow, along with protesting, marching and attending the rally, do a little shopping too. It will help our local traders. I know that our rally will not hurt the traders. The BJP is spreading rumours because it is scared. But let’s do both. Tomorrow, there will be a march, there will be a rally, and lakhs of people will also buy things from the small shops of our local traders. Much love to all of you. Happy Diwali. Jai Hind.
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) October 31, 2026
He said the rally and shopping could take place together, adding that purchases from small shops would benefit local traders. Gandhi also rejected suggestions that the mobilisation would financially hurt businesses, alleging that the BJP was spreading rumours to create concern among traders.
“Tomorrow there will be a march, there will be a rally, and lakhs of people will buy goods from the small shops of our traders,” he said in his message.
The Rahul Gandhi Delhi traders appeal was aimed at reassuring shopkeepers that the Opposition’s political programme need not come at the expense of their festive-season business. He also extended Diwali greetings and encouraged visitors to spend money at local establishments rather than treat the rally as the sole purpose of their visit.
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Trader bodies warn of disruption during Diwali shopping period
Gandhi’s remarks followed appeals by the Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI) and the Federation of Sadar Bazar Traders Association to postpone the rally. The organisations wrote to Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, citing concerns about the possible impact on businesses during one of the year’s busiest shopping periods.
The CTI warned that an estimated 10 lakh people and 15,000 to 20,000 vehicles could cause severe traffic congestion across Central Delhi and affect as many as 20 historic markets. It requested that the rally be rescheduled to a date after Diwali.
The Federation of Sadar Bazar Traders Association also highlighted the importance of the festive period for small businesses. In its letter, the association said the period from Dhanteras to Diwali accounts for an estimated turnover of around ₹25,000 crore in Sadar Bazar.
It pointed out that this period provides crucial annual earnings for traders, shopkeepers and small business owners, while also supporting workers, sales staff, helpers and delivery personnel. The association urged Gandhi to persuade the Congress leadership to defer the rally until after November 10, allowing businesses to complete their festive operations.
The Rahul Gandhi Delhi traders appeal therefore comes amid a clear difference between the organisers’ assurance that the rally will support local businesses and the concerns raised by trade bodies over possible disruption.
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INDIA bloc rally to focus on CEC Gyanesh Kumar and SIR
The INDIA bloc is holding the November 1 demonstration at Ramlila Maidan to protest alleged electoral irregularities and demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The rally is also expected to raise concerns over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
The programme includes a march through Central Delhi before the gathering at Ramlila Maidan. Opposition leaders have said they expect up to 10 lakh participants, while Delhi Police has estimated a turnout of around 50,000.
The scale of the gathering has placed traffic management and the impact on local businesses at the centre of the debate. Delhi Traffic Police has already announced restrictions and diversions across several roads from 10 am to 5 pm on Sunday.
With the rally coinciding with the festive shopping period, the Rahul Gandhi Delhi traders appeal seeks to turn the arrival of participants into an opportunity for local businesses. Whether the expected shopping activity offsets the disruption feared by merchant associations will depend on how the day’s crowds and traffic affect commercial areas.