The Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha said on Monday that protests against alleged electoral malpractice could end within 30 seconds if Kumar was dismissed. His response followed warnings from business organisations that the planned demonstration at Ramlila Maidan could disrupt commercial activity during the peak Diwali shopping season.
Gandhi acknowledged the traders’ concerns but linked their economic security to the Opposition’s campaign against alleged vote theft. He accused the government of imposing restrictions that had disrupted transport and business operations during earlier demonstrations.
“To every trader in Delhi: We love you and hear you,” Gandhi wrote on X, before accusing the government of shutting Metro services, sealing roads and restricting movement across the capital.
“With a stolen vote nothing is safe – your shop, your savings, your children’s future,” he declared.
Gandhi urged traders to demand Kumar’s removal, referring to the election official as “accused no. 4”, a designation used in the Opposition’s allegations against the Election Commission. No judicial finding establishing wrongdoing by Kumar was cited in his statement.
The confrontation followed an October 24 letter from the Chamber of Trade and Industry, whose chairman Brijesh Goyal requested postponement of the rally until after November 10, when the principal Diwali festivities conclude.
The organisation warned that road closures, security barricades, traffic diversions and possible Metro restrictions could prevent customers and suppliers from reaching major wholesale and retail markets surrounding Ramlila Maidan.
Goyal estimated that commercial transactions worth approximately Rs 10,000 crore could be affected by disruptions during the festive trading period. The figure represented the organisation’s assessment of potential business exposure rather than independently established losses.
Traders identified approximately 20 markets within five kilometres of the proposed demonstration venue as particularly vulnerable to restrictions on vehicle movement and customer access.
Their concerns centred on the timing of the demonstration, scheduled just five days before Dhanteras on November 6 and a week before Diwali on November 8. Bhai Dooj falls on November 10.
Goyal said Delhi’s commercial establishments traditionally experience substantial sales during these festivals, particularly in jewellery, electronics, clothing, household goods, automobiles and gifts. He estimated Dhanteras-related transactions across the capital at approximately Rs 25,000 crore.
The trading organisation also claimed that restrictions accompanying earlier demonstrations had caused losses of roughly Rs 3,000 crore. That estimate has not been independently substantiated.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge adopted a more accommodating position when questioned about the traders’ representations on Monday, saying the Opposition would examine their concerns and attempt to find an acceptable solution.
“The rally is scheduled for November 1. We have received an appeal from the traders,” Kharge said, indicating that party leaders would consider the request while maintaining the importance of their electoral campaign.
His remarks left open the possibility of further discussions even as Gandhi’s response made removal of the Chief Election Commissioner the central demand for ending the agitation.
The INDIA alliance has organised the rally as part of its campaign challenging the Election Commission’s handling of electoral rolls, the Special Intensive Revision exercise. Opposition parties allege that the process risks excluding eligible voters and have demanded accountability from the commission. Those allegations remain disputed and do not themselves establish manipulation of election results.
Congress leaders have also questioned decisions attributed to Kumar and sought his departure from office. Removal of a Chief Election Commissioner, however, is governed by constitutional procedures rather than an executive dismissal. The Constitution provides safeguards comparable to those applying to a Supreme Court judge, requiring parliamentary action under the prescribed process.
The November 1 event follows demonstrations by Opposition parties and civil society representatives in Delhi over the revision of voter lists. Political organisers have described the planned gathering as an opportunity to mobilise supporters and renew pressure for action on their complaints about electoral administration.
The traders’ organisation has approached Delhi Police Commissioner with a request to reconsider Ramlila Maidan’s use as a designated venue for political demonstrations. Goyal proposed moving such events to the CBD Ground in Burari or another site on the capital’s outskirts, arguing that this could reduce pressure on districts and the roads serving them.
