India
oi-Ashish Rana
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has said protests against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar would end within 30 seconds if Prime Minister Narendra Modi removed him from office. His statement came on 26 October, after Delhi traders asked him to postpone the INDIA bloc’s 1 November rally, warning that it could hurt business during the festive season.
Rahul Gandhi stated protests against CEC Gyanesh Kumar would end if PM Modi removed him, amidst Delhi traders requesting the November 1 INDIA bloc rally be postponed due to fears of losing ₹10,000 crore in festive season business.
Rahul Gandhi Says Delhi Traders Are Being Hit By Restrictions
In a post on X, Gandhi addressed traders in Delhi and said the Congress understood their concerns. He accused the government of shutting metro services, sealing roads and disrupting normal life in the national capital.
“To every trader in Delhi: We love you and hear you,” he wrote.
Gandhi also linked the disruption to the Opposition’s allegations of electoral wrongdoing. “With a stolen vote nothing is safe-your shop, your savings, your children’s future,” he said.
He added, “Tell Modi to sack accused no. 4, Gyanesh Kumar and the protests will stop in 30 seconds.”
To every trader in Delhi: We love you and hear you.The Govt shut the metro, sealed our roads and locked down our capital.With a stolen vote nothing is safe – your shop, your savings, your children’s future.Tell Modi to sack accused no. 4, Gyanesh Kumar and the protests will stop in 30 seconds.दिल्ली के हर व्यापारी से: हम आपसे प्यार करते हैं, आपकी बात सुन रहे हैं।मेट्रो सरकार ने बंद की, सड़कें सरकार ने सील की, राजधानी पर ताला सरकार ने लगाया।जब वोट ही चोरी हो जाए, तो कुछ भी सुरक्षित नहीं – न आपकी दुकान, न आपकी बचत, न आपके बच्चों का भविष्य।मोदी जी से कहिए – आरोपी नंबर 4, ज्ञानेश कुमार को हटाएं, 30 सेकंड में आंदोलन रुक जाएगा।
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) October 26, 2026
Why Delhi Traders Want The November 1 Rally Postponed
The Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI) has urged Gandhi to postpone the rally until after 10 November The traders’ body said the period around Dhanteras, Diwali and Bhai Dooj is crucial for retail and wholesale markets.
According to the CTI, barricades, traffic diversions and possible Metro disruptions could discourage shoppers from visiting major markets. The organisation warned that the disruptions could put nearly Rs 10,000 crore worth of festive business at risk. It also pointed to losses allegedly suffered during earlier protests and road closures.
Congress Targets 50,000 People At Ramlila Maidan Rally
The Congress is preparing for a major mobilisation at Ramlila Maidan on 1 November under its ‘Save the Vote, Save the Country’ campaign. Gandhi has appealed to students, farmers, workers, women, young people and traders to join the ‘Chalo Dilli’ march. The party is targeting a turnout of around 50,000 people.
The INDIA bloc is also planning a mock Parliament on 30 October as part of its proposed ‘public impeachment’ campaign against Kumar. The Opposition is demanding his resignation and a halt to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise.
The rally has become a political flashpoint, with the Congress pressing ahead with its campaign while traders seek to protect business during one of the busiest shopping periods of the year.
