Rahul Gandhi alleges BJP forced shop closures in Connaught Place
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New Delhi: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday accused the BJP of forcing businesses in Delhi's Connaught Place to shut their outlets amid the INDIA bloc's protest rally at Ramlila Maidan, alleging that the closures had caused losses to local traders.
In a video shared on his official X account, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha said the situation contradicted his earlier appeal to rally participants to visit nearby markets and support local businesses.
Gandhi had urged people attending the 'Chalo Dilli' march to purchase goods from local shops as a way of supporting traders during the opposition gathering against alleged electoral irregularities and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
His remarks came amid concerns raised by the Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI) over the rally's potential impact on commercial activity in the capital.
In its fourth communication to Gandhi, the traders' body warned that around 2.5 lakh shops within a five-kilometre radius of Ramlila Maidan could remain closed, with business activity potentially declining by nearly 80 per cent.
CTI Chairman Brijesh Goyal said security concerns and uncertainty had discouraged traders and customers from visiting markets, particularly during the pre-Diwali shopping season.
The organisation also cautioned that traffic restrictions and disruptions to goods transportation could affect markets across Central and Old Delhi.
With IANS inputs