New Delhi: The political turmoil has intensified ahead of the grand rally of INDIA alliance at Ramlila Maidan in Delhi. Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi has made a big accusation against BJP. He claimed that BJP has forcibly closed all the shops in Connaught Place and is causing loss to the traders. Rahul Gandhi said before the rally,"We had appealed to all the people that when you come to Delhi for the march and Maharally, you should also shop from here. But while coming to Connaught Place, we came to know that BJP has forcibly closed all the shops. So you yourself understand who is causing loss to the traders."
Appeal to those coming to the rally to buy
A day before this, late Saturday evening, Rahul Gandhi had posted on social media platform X and appealed to the people coming to Delhi to buy goods from local traders. He had said that the festivals of Diwali, Chhath and Bhaidooj are going on. In such a situation, if lakhs of people coming to the rally make small purchases from small shops, then local traders will benefit greatly. Rahul had written in his post, "Protest, march, rally, also do some shopping, traders will benefit."
He had alleged that BJP was deliberately spreading rumors that the opposition rally would cause loss to traders. Rahul said that in reality the traders will benefit from the rally because people coming from outside will make purchases. BJP is spreading such rumors because of fear.
What is the whole matter?
This mega rally of INDIA alliance is being organized against the alleged electoral irregularities. Opposition parties are raising questions on the Election Commission and demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. This is being seen as a show of strength by the opposition. There is a war of words between BJP and Congress regarding this rally. BJP says that the big rally and march at Ramlila Maidan will cause loss to the traders of Delhi, especially the shopkeepers in Connaught Place and nearby areas. Customers will not come due to crowd and traffic.
At the same time, Congress's retort is that BJP itself is trying to hold the opposition responsible for this loss by closing the shops. Now the allegation of closure of shops in Connaught Place has further fueled this controversy.