Rahul Gandhi Accuses BJP of Forcibly Shutting Down Shops

Political controversy is escalating in Delhi following a war of words between Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over financial losses incurred by local traders, with Mr. Rahul accusing the BJP of harming traders’ interests. On Sunday, November 1, while leading an INDIA bloc rally and march against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, Rahul Gandhi released a video alleging that the BJP forcibly shut down shops, preventing people attending the protest from making purchases.

In the video, Rahul Gandhi said that everyone heading to the rally and march had been advised to shop and buy a few items along the way. However, on their way to Connaught Place, they learned that the BJP had forcibly closed every single shop. He added that everyone should know who is causing financial harm to traders and how. Earlier, BJP leaders had blamed Rahul Gandhi and the Congress for the losses suffered by Delhi traders during the festive season.

Citing Dhanteras, Diwali, and Chhath Puja, BJP leader J.P. Nadda stated that small business owners, street vendors, and shopkeepers earn a major portion of their annual income during these festivals. He accused Rahul Gandhi of being indifferent to the financial distress of small traders.

Mr. Nadda noted that the Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI) had sent a letter to Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, and Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee, requesting them not to organize major political rallies in Delhi during the festival season. He claimed that previous protest demonstrations had caused approximately INR 3,000 crore in losses to Delhi traders, and expressed concern that the latest rally could push total losses beyond INR 10,000 crore.

Source: India Today