The proposed INDIA bloc rally at Ramlila Maidan on November 1, 2026, has triggered concern among Delhi's trading community, with business associations warning that a large political gathering could disrupt commercial activity during the important festive shopping season. The Chamber of Trade & Industry (CTI) has written to senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi, raising concerns about the possible impact of the rally on around 20 lakh traders in Delhi.

In its communication, the trade body said an atmosphere of panic prevailed among traders because business could come to a standstill on October 31 and November 1. The association has urged political leaders to consider the difficulties being faced by businesses and take steps to avoid further disruption.

CTI Chairman Brijesh Goyal said the city's trade sector had already suffered estimated losses of around ₹3,000 crore over the previous 25 days. He warned that the proposed rally could result in an additional loss of up to ₹10,000 crore.

The rally is scheduled to take place at Ramlila Maidan, a major public gathering venue in central Delhi. According to CTI, around 20 major wholesale markets are located within a five-kilometre radius of the venue. These markets handle goods worth crores of rupees every day, with supplies dispatched to different parts of India and overseas destinations.

The traders are particularly concerned about the possibility of heavy crowd movement, traffic restrictions and difficulties in transporting goods. Their concern is that the rally could affect the movement of workers, customers, transport vehicles and commercial consignments across important trading areas.

The trade associations have also pointed out that the proposed rally is scheduled close to Diwali, when businesses generally expect a rise in customer activity and sales. They have therefore appealed to the INDIA bloc leadership to postpone the programme until after the festival, which falls on November 8, 2026.

CTI writes to Sonia Gandhi over traders' concerns

The Chamber of Trade & Industry has written to Sonia Gandhi to highlight the possible impact of the November 1 rally on Delhi's business community.

The letter follows an earlier communication sent by CTI to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, in which the association had raised similar concerns about the proposed gathering.

CTI has argued that a rally at Ramlila Maidan could affect the functioning of several wholesale and retail markets located nearby. The association believes that the expected crowd and the traffic arrangements required for the event could create difficulties for traders, customers and transport operators.

The organisation has specifically highlighted the presence of around 20 major wholesale markets within a five-kilometre radius of Ramlila Maidan. These markets are important centres for the movement and distribution of goods across Delhi and beyond.

CTI Chairman Brijesh Goyal said the business community was worried because the rally could coincide with a period when traders are preparing for peak festive-season sales.

According to Goyal, goods worth crores of rupees are dispatched every day from the wholesale hubs surrounding Ramlila Maidan. Any disruption to roads, transport access or loading and unloading activities could affect the supply chain.

The association's concern is not limited to the traders operating directly around the rally venue. Since wholesale markets supply retailers and businesses in other parts of the city and outside Delhi, disruptions in these commercial centres could affect a wider network of buyers and sellers.

CTI has warned that the proposed gathering could create a situation in which businesses are unable to operate normally on October 31 and November 1.

The letter to Sonia Gandhi is an appeal to the Congress leadership and other INDIA bloc representatives to consider the possible economic consequences before proceeding with the planned event.

Around 20 lakh Delhi traders fear business disruption

The CTI has said that around 20 lakh traders in Delhi are facing uncertainty ahead of the proposed rally.

The association's warning reflects the scale of the trading ecosystem in the national capital. Delhi has several major wholesale and retail markets that supply products to customers, retailers and businesses across different regions.

According to the trade body, the proposed rally could affect business activity on October 31 and November 1. These dates are important because they fall close to Diwali, a period when traders expect higher customer demand and increased commercial activity.

The association has warned that an interruption in the normal functioning of markets could affect daily sales, dispatches and deliveries. Traders may face difficulties if customers cannot reach shopping areas or if transport vehicles are unable to move freely through important commercial routes.

The concern is especially significant for businesses that depend on daily movement of goods. Wholesale markets handle large quantities of products that are distributed to retailers and other destinations. Even a temporary disruption can affect delivery schedules and the availability of goods.

CTI has also highlighted the possibility of pressure on Delhi's transport infrastructure. It has questioned whether the city can comfortably manage a large gathering at Ramlila Maidan while keeping nearby commercial areas operational.

The trade body's concern is based on the expected scale of attendance and the location of the rally venue. It has said that around 10 lakh people are being expected at the event, while Ramlila Maidan has a stated capacity of around 50,000.

The association has argued that a gathering of this size could put pressure on transport, roads and other infrastructure around the venue.

The traders are therefore asking political leaders to consider postponing the rally rather than allowing a large gathering to coincide with the festive trading period.

Brijesh Goyal warns of an additional ₹10,000 crore loss

CTI Chairman Brijesh Goyal has estimated that the November 1 rally could cause an additional business loss of up to ₹10,000 crore.

According to Goyal, Delhi's trade sector has already suffered losses of approximately ₹3,000 crore over the previous 25 days. He said the proposed rally could add to the financial damage if commercial activity is disrupted.

The ₹10,000 crore figure is an estimate presented by the trade body and should be understood as its assessment of the possible impact. It is not a confirmed loss or an official government estimate.

The association's warning is based on the potential disruption to wholesale and retail markets, transport movement and customer access.

Goyal has pointed out that Ramlila Maidan is surrounded by major commercial areas. Goods worth crores of rupees are dispatched every day from these markets to destinations across the country and abroad.

If the movement of goods is affected, traders may face delays in dispatching orders. Customers may also avoid visiting markets if traffic restrictions and crowd movement make access difficult.

For businesses operating during the festive season, such disruption can have a direct impact on sales. Traders generally depend on the period around Dhanteras and Diwali to generate a significant share of their seasonal business.

Goyal's warning therefore reflects the concern that the rally could affect commercial activity at a particularly important time of the year.

The association has also referred to the earlier disruptions caused by protests, rallies and traffic restrictions during September and October. According to the trade associations, these events have already contributed to estimated losses of around ₹3,000 crore.

The possibility of another large gathering has increased the concerns of traders, who fear that further restrictions could affect their ability to recover business during the festive period.

Why traders are concerned about the Ramlila Maidan venue

The location of the proposed rally is a major part of the traders' objection.

Ramlila Maidan is situated in central Delhi and is surrounded by several important wholesale and retail markets. According to CTI, around 20 major markets are located within a five-kilometre radius of the venue.

These markets play an important role in Delhi's commercial network. They handle the movement of goods across different categories and supply retailers, distributors and customers in several regions.

CTI has argued that a large gathering at Ramlila Maidan could create difficulties for businesses because of the movement of a very large number of people and the traffic arrangements required to manage the event.

The association has particularly questioned the expected attendance of around 10 lakh people. It has compared this figure with the stated capacity of the venue, which it says is around 50,000.

According to Goyal, a gathering that is significantly larger than the venue's capacity could place pressure on the surrounding infrastructure, including roads and transport systems.

For traders, the concern is that the impact may extend beyond the immediate area of the rally. Traffic congestion on key roads could affect customers travelling to markets, delivery vehicles carrying goods and workers commuting to commercial establishments.

The wholesale trade system also depends on the smooth movement of vehicles. Goods have to be brought into markets, sorted, stored and dispatched to different destinations. Any disruption to this process could affect several businesses.

The traders therefore believe that the location and expected size of the rally make it important to reconsider the date of the event.

Sadar Bazaar, Khari Baoli and Chandni Chowk among affected markets

The trade associations have specifically referred to several major markets that could face disruption because of the rally.

These include Sadar Bazaar, Khari Baoli and Chandni Chowk, along with other wholesale and retail trading areas located within the five-kilometre radius of Ramlila Maidan.

Sadar Bazaar

Sadar Bazaar is among the major wholesale markets mentioned by the associations. It is an important commercial centre where large volumes of goods are traded and distributed.

Traders operating in such wholesale markets depend on regular transport access. Goods have to be delivered to the market, collected by buyers and dispatched to different destinations. Traffic restrictions and congestion could affect these activities.

The association's concern is that a large gathering close to the market could make it difficult for customers and transport vehicles to reach commercial establishments.

Khari Baoli

Khari Baoli is another major trading area identified by the trade bodies. It is part of the network of wholesale markets that handle goods for buyers and businesses from different parts of the country.

The traders fear that movement restrictions around central Delhi could affect the arrival and dispatch of consignments. Delays during the festive period could create additional difficulties for businesses that are trying to meet higher seasonal demand.

Chandni Chowk

Chandni Chowk is one of the prominent commercial areas in central Delhi and has a large concentration of shops and trading establishments.

The association's concern is that heavy crowd movement and traffic restrictions could affect customers visiting the area. Traders may also face difficulties in moving goods through nearby roads.

These markets are important parts of Delhi's wider commercial network. The associations have therefore argued that the potential impact of the rally should not be considered only in terms of the venue itself.

A large event at Ramlila Maidan could affect access to multiple commercial areas, particularly if traffic arrangements restrict movement across surrounding roads.

Trade bodies want rally postponed until after Diwali

The CTI is not the only organisation that has raised objections to the proposed rally.

The Federation of Sadar Bazar Trades Association and the Kirana Committee Delhi have also sought intervention from political leaders to postpone the event until after Diwali.

The associations have argued that the rally could affect business at several wholesale markets during the festive season, when traders expect a rise in sales.

Their request is based on the timing of the event. The November 1 rally is scheduled just days before Diwali, which falls on November 8, 2026.

The trade bodies have said that political programmes can be rescheduled, but traders cannot afford to lose sales during one of the most important commercial periods of the year.

The associations have also raised concerns about the impact of protests, rallies and traffic restrictions that have taken place during September and October.

According to their letters, these disruptions have already caused estimated business losses of around ₹3,000 crore.

They have warned that another large gathering could increase the financial burden on traders and create difficulties for businesses that are preparing for the festive shopping rush.

The associations have appealed to INDIA bloc leaders to take up the matter with the Congress leadership and request that the rally be moved to a date after Diwali.

Their demand is not for the cancellation of the political programme but for a change in its timing.

The traders believe that postponing the event would reduce the possibility of disruption during the festive trading period while allowing the political programme to take place later.

₹25,000 crore trade takes place between Dhanteras and Diwali

One of the major reasons behind the traders' concern is the scale of business activity during the festive period.

According to the letters sent by the trade associations, trade worth around ₹25,000 crore takes place in Delhi between Dhanteras and Diwali.

This figure highlights the importance of the festival period for the city's commercial establishments.

Dhanteras and Diwali are traditionally important occasions for shopping and business activity. Consumers purchase a wide range of products, while retailers and wholesalers prepare for increased demand.

The festive period is particularly important for markets that depend on high customer footfall and the movement of large quantities of goods.

For traders, the days leading up to Diwali are an opportunity to increase sales and clear inventory. Businesses also have to manage supply arrangements so that products are available when customers visit markets.

The trade associations fear that traffic restrictions and crowd-related disruption could affect this business cycle.

If customers are unable to reach markets easily, they may postpone or avoid shopping trips. Similarly, delivery vehicles may face delays in reaching commercial areas or transporting goods out of wholesale centres.

The associations have argued that the proposed rally could therefore affect a trading period in which a large amount of business is conducted within a short time.

The ₹25,000 crore figure cited by the associations is their estimate of the trade taking place between Dhanteras and Diwali. It is not a confirmed measure of the loss expected from the rally.

The potential loss of up to ₹10,000 crore is a separate estimate put forward by CTI and other trade representatives in their warning about the proposed gathering.

Traders say earlier disruptions have already caused ₹3,000 crore losses

The trade bodies have also referred to the impact of earlier protests, rallies and traffic restrictions during September and October.

According to the associations, these disruptions have already caused losses of around ₹3,000 crore to Delhi's trading sector over the previous 25 days.

The CTI chairman has similarly said that the city's trade sector has suffered an estimated loss of ₹3,000 crore during this period.

The associations have argued that the business community is already dealing with the effects of disrupted commercial activity. They fear that another large gathering could create additional difficulties.

For wholesale markets, normal business operations depend on several activities taking place without major interruptions. Buyers must be able to reach markets, goods must be delivered and transport vehicles must have access to loading and unloading areas.

Traffic restrictions can affect all these activities. Even when a market remains technically open, customers may avoid visiting it if reaching the area becomes difficult.

The same problem can affect retailers who depend on wholesale suppliers. Delayed deliveries may affect inventory availability and the ability to meet customer demand.

The associations believe that the festive period makes the situation more serious because businesses have limited time to complete their seasonal sales.

They have therefore requested that the rally be postponed rather than held during the final days before Diwali.

The estimated ₹3,000 crore loss is based on the trade bodies' assessment. The supplied report does not provide an independent audit or a detailed market-wise calculation of this figure.

Concern over expected crowd size and venue capacity

Another major issue raised by CTI is the expected number of people attending the rally.

According to the trade body, it is being claimed that around 10 lakh people may attend the November 1 rally at Ramlila Maidan.

The association has compared this expected attendance with the venue's stated capacity of around 50,000 people.

CTI Chairman Brijesh Goyal has questioned how a venue designed to accommodate 50,000 people could manage a gathering that may attract around 10 lakh attendees.

The association believes that such a large turnout could put pressure on the city's infrastructure, particularly transport and road networks.

The concern is not limited to the ability of the venue to accommodate people. A gathering of this scale could also affect the surrounding areas because attendees would need to travel to and from the location.

The movement of vehicles, public transport users and pedestrians could create congestion on nearby roads. This may affect people who are travelling to commercial areas for business or shopping.

Traders are particularly worried because Ramlila Maidan is surrounded by important markets. If access routes become congested or restricted, the impact could extend to wholesale and retail activity.

The trade body has therefore questioned whether the expected attendance and the location of the rally have been adequately considered in relation to the city's commercial infrastructure.

The expected attendance figure and the venue capacity are claims cited by CTI in its objection. The supplied report does not independently confirm the final number of people expected to attend or the crowd-management arrangements planned for the event.

What are the INDIA bloc's plans for November 1?

The INDIA bloc is scheduled to organise a rally at Ramlila Maidan on November 1, 2026, as part of its planned campaign against alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.

The programme is linked to the bloc's campaign against what it describes as vote chori.

According to the supplied report, the INDIA bloc is also scheduled to hold a public impeachment proceeding against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar on Friday, October 30, at Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge's residence.

The proposed public impeachment proceeding is connected with the bloc's allegations regarding irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

Following the programme on October 30, a Dilli Chalo March against alleged vote theft is planned. The march is expected to culminate in the November 1 rally at Ramlila Maidan.

The political programme is therefore part of a wider series of activities planned by the INDIA bloc.

The traders' associations have raised concerns about the economic and logistical consequences of holding the rally at the scheduled time.

Their objection is focused on the timing and location of the gathering, rather than the political issues being raised by the opposition alliance.

The trade bodies have requested the leadership to postpone the rally until after Diwali so that businesses can complete their festive-season trading without facing additional disruption.

Public impeachment programme linked to SIR controversy

The INDIA bloc's proposed public impeachment proceeding against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar is scheduled for October 30 at the residence of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge.

The programme is linked to allegations of irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.

The opposition alliance has raised concerns about the electoral roll revision exercise and has planned a series of political activities around the issue.

The proposed public impeachment proceeding is described in the supplied report as part of this campaign. It is scheduled to take place before the Dilli Chalo March and the rally at Ramlila Maidan.

The programme has become relevant to the traders' concerns because it forms part of the sequence of events leading to the November 1 gathering.

The trade associations have said that the political programme should be rescheduled to avoid a clash with the festive business period.

The supplied report does not provide the full details of the allegations against the Chief Election Commissioner or the complete list of demands made by the INDIA bloc. It specifically links the planned programme to alleged irregularities in the SIR exercise.

Dilli Chalo March and vote chori campaign

The Dilli Chalo March is another planned part of the INDIA bloc's programme against alleged vote theft.

According to the supplied report, the march will follow the public impeachment proceeding scheduled for October 30 and will culminate in the November 1 rally at Ramlila Maidan.

The campaign is being organised around the opposition alliance's allegations of irregularities in electoral rolls and its broader claim of vote chori.

The planned march is expected to bring participants towards the rally venue. This is one of the reasons why the trade bodies are concerned about possible crowd movement and traffic disruption in central Delhi.

For traders, the concern is that a large political march followed by a rally could affect access to commercial areas and create difficulties for transport vehicles.

The associations have pointed out that several major wholesale markets are located close to Ramlila Maidan. They fear that the movement of a large number of people and vehicles could affect daily trading operations.

The trade bodies have therefore urged political leaders to consider the commercial impact before proceeding with the event on November 1.

Trade associations appeal to INDIA bloc leaders

Apart from writing to Sonia Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, the trade associations have also appealed to other INDIA bloc leaders to intervene.

The Federation of Sadar Bazar Trades Association and the Kirana Committee Delhi have written to Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav and Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee.

Both leaders are associated with parties that are part of the INDIA bloc.

The associations have asked them to raise the traders' concerns with the Congress leadership and seek postponement of the November 1 rally.

Their letters reportedly highlighted the estimated ₹25,000 crore worth of trade taking place in Delhi between Dhanteras and Diwali.

They also referred to the estimated ₹3,000 crore losses that the trade sector has already suffered because of protests, rallies and traffic restrictions during September and October.

The associations warned that another large gathering during the peak festive shopping period could lead to additional losses of up to ₹10,000 crore.

Their request is based on the view that political programmes can be shifted to a later date, whereas traders cannot easily recover sales lost during the festive season.

The trade bodies have therefore asked the INDIA bloc leadership to postpone the rally until after November 8, 2026.

Why Diwali timing matters for Delhi businesses

The timing of the rally is central to the objection raised by the traders.

Diwali is one of the most important periods for retail and wholesale businesses in India. In Delhi, several major markets experience increased customer activity as people prepare for the festival.

The period between Dhanteras and Diwali is particularly important because consumers make purchases for homes, families and celebrations.

According to the trade associations, around ₹25,000 crore worth of trade takes place in Delhi during this period.

Businesses prepare for this demand by arranging stock, organising deliveries and ensuring that customers can access their shops and markets.

Wholesale markets play a significant role in this process because they supply goods to retailers and distributors. Any disruption in these markets can affect businesses that depend on regular supplies.

Traffic restrictions and crowd movement can also affect retail sales. Customers may avoid areas where reaching shops becomes difficult or where parking and public transport access are affected.

Traders therefore believe that a large rally close to Diwali could create difficulties at a time when commercial establishments are trying to maximise seasonal business.

The associations have argued that postponing the rally until after the festival would allow political activities to continue without putting additional pressure on the trading community during its peak sales period.

Their request reflects the importance of timing for businesses that depend on seasonal demand and daily customer movement.

Political programmes and commercial activity: The traders' argument

The trade associations have made a clear distinction between political activities and the commercial requirements of the city.

They have argued that political programmes can be rescheduled, but businesses cannot afford to lose sales during the most important trading period of the year.

This is the central message behind their appeal to the INDIA bloc leadership.

The associations are not simply concerned about the presence of a rally. Their objection relates to the combination of a large expected crowd, the location of the event, the surrounding wholesale markets and the timing close to Diwali.

They believe that the impact could extend across several commercial areas rather than remain limited to Ramlila Maidan.

The traders have also highlighted the previous disruptions during September and October. According to their estimates, these events have already caused around ₹3,000 crore in losses.

The possibility of an additional disruption has increased their concern.

For the business community, the period before Diwali is a limited window to complete sales. If customers cannot reach markets or goods cannot be moved on time, the lost business may not be fully recovered later.

The associations have therefore asked political leaders to consider the wider economic consequences of the rally.

Their appeal is based on the belief that postponement would allow the political programme to take place after the festive season, while reducing the risk of disruption to Delhi's commercial activity.

What could be affected if the rally proceeds as scheduled?

The trade bodies have warned that several aspects of commercial activity could face disruption if the rally takes place as scheduled.

Customer movement: Heavy crowd movement and traffic restrictions could make it difficult for customers to reach markets around central Delhi. This could affect retail sales during the festive shopping period.

Wholesale dispatches: Markets such as Sadar Bazaar and Khari Baoli handle large volumes of goods. Restrictions on vehicle movement could delay the dispatch of consignments to different destinations.

Delivery schedules: Businesses that depend on regular deliveries may face delays if transport vehicles are unable to access market areas.

Worker movement: Employees and workers travelling to commercial establishments may face difficulties if roads and public transport routes are affected.

Retail business: Customers may avoid visiting crowded areas, potentially affecting shops that depend on festive footfall.

Supply chains: Wholesale markets supply goods to retailers and businesses beyond Delhi. Delays in dispatches could therefore affect a wider commercial network.

These are the possible consequences highlighted by the traders' concerns. The actual impact would depend on the final crowd size, traffic management arrangements and the extent of any restrictions imposed around the venue.

The supplied report does not provide a confirmed traffic plan or a detailed assessment of which roads and markets may face restrictions.

₹10,000 crore warning is a trade-body estimate

The estimated additional loss of ₹10,000 crore has become one of the most prominent figures in the traders' campaign against the rally.

However, it is important to understand that this amount is an estimate put forward by CTI Chairman Brijesh Goyal and other trade representatives.

The association has based its warning on the possible disruption to commercial activity across major markets in Delhi.

The estimate is linked to the expected crowd size, the location of Ramlila Maidan, the proximity of wholesale markets and the timing of the event during the festive shopping period.

The trade bodies have also cited estimated losses of around ₹3,000 crore over the previous 25 days because of protests, rallies and traffic restrictions.

The two figures represent different assessments: the ₹3,000 crore amount refers to estimated losses already suffered, while the ₹10,000 crore amount represents the possible additional loss if the proposed rally disrupts business.

The supplied report does not include a detailed calculation of these estimates or an independent assessment of the potential financial impact.

Therefore, the ₹10,000 crore figure should be presented as the trade body's warning rather than a confirmed outcome.

Will the INDIA bloc postpone the November 1 rally?

As of the information provided in the report, the INDIA bloc's rally remains scheduled for November 1, 2026, at Ramlila Maidan.

The trade associations have appealed to senior opposition leaders, including Sonia Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, Akhilesh Yadav and Mamata Banerjee, to intervene and seek a postponement.

Their preferred date is after Diwali, which falls on November 8.

The associations have argued that postponing the rally would allow traders to complete their festive business without facing additional disruption.

However, the supplied report does not confirm that the INDIA bloc has accepted the request or announced any change in the rally schedule.

It also does not provide a formal response from the Congress leadership or the other INDIA bloc parties to the trade associations' letters.

For now, the issue remains centred on the traders' demand and the political programme announced by the opposition alliance.

The next important development will be whether the INDIA bloc leadership considers the concerns raised by the trade bodies and decides to change the date or arrangements for the rally.

Delhi traders' concerns put economic impact of political rallies in focus

The dispute over the November 1 rally has brought attention to the relationship between large political gatherings and commercial activity in densely populated urban areas.

Delhi's wholesale markets serve businesses across the country. Their functioning depends on road connectivity, transport availability and the ability of customers and traders to reach commercial areas.

A large political event near these markets can raise concerns about congestion and access, particularly when it coincides with an important shopping season.

The trade associations have argued that the proposed rally could affect business across several markets because Ramlila Maidan is located within a five-kilometre radius of around 20 major wholesale hubs.

They have also highlighted the expected attendance of around 10 lakh people and compared it with the stated venue capacity of 50,000.

The associations believe that the potential impact should be considered before the event takes place.

Their appeal is particularly focused on Diwali because the festival period accounts for substantial commercial activity. According to the associations, around ₹25,000 crore worth of trade takes place in Delhi between Dhanteras and Diwali.

The traders have warned that the city has already suffered estimated losses of ₹3,000 crore because of previous disruptions and that another large gathering could cause a further loss of up to ₹10,000 crore.

These figures are estimates presented by the trade bodies, but they underline the scale of concern among the associations.

The CTI's letter to Sonia Gandhi, along with the appeals made by other trade associations to INDIA bloc leaders, represents an effort to secure a change in the rally schedule.

What happens next?

The immediate question is whether the INDIA bloc will proceed with the November 1 rally at Ramlila Maidan or consider the traders' request for postponement.

The opposition alliance has planned a sequence of programmes beginning with the public impeachment proceeding against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar on October 30, followed by the Dilli Chalo March and the rally against alleged vote chori.

At the same time, Delhi's trade bodies are asking political leaders to consider the potential impact on businesses during the festive period.

The traders have urged the leadership to move the rally to a date after Diwali. They argue that political events can be organised later, but the commercial opportunity during the festive season cannot easily be recovered.

The CTI has estimated that around 20 lakh traders could be affected and warned of a possible additional loss of ₹10,000 crore. Other associations have raised similar concerns about market access, traffic disruption and the movement of goods.

No postponement has been confirmed in the supplied report. The rally is therefore described as scheduled for November 1, 2026, while the trade associations continue to seek intervention from the INDIA bloc leadership.

The issue now places the political programme and the concerns of Delhi's trading community side by side. The final decision on the rally's timing will determine whether the event proceeds as planned or is shifted to a date after the Diwali festival.