Delhi’s business community has appealed to senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi to postpone the INDIA bloc’s proposed rally scheduled for November 1, warning that the event could disrupt commercial activity worth Rs 10,000-12,000 crore across 20 major markets in the national capital.

The Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI) has written to Sonia Gandhi, requesting that the rally at Ramlila Maidan be rescheduled until after the festive season. The traders’ body has raised concerns over the possible impact of large crowds, traffic restrictions and vehicle movement on wholesale and retail markets during the crucial Diwali shopping period.

According to the traders’ association, the rally is expected to attract around 10 lakh people and 15,000-20,000 vehicles, potentially creating significant congestion in central Delhi.

Why Delhi traders want the rally postponed

CTI chairman Brijesh Goyal has highlighted the importance of the November 1 date for businesses, as it falls just days before Dhanteras and Diwali.

Dhanteras will be observed on November 6, followed by Diwali on November 8 and Bhai Dooj on November 10. Traders generally witness increased customer activity in the days leading up to these festivals.

The association has warned that traffic restrictions, road closures and parking difficulties could affect the movement of goods and customers, potentially disrupting business across several commercial areas.

The traders’ body has specifically raised concerns about markets surrounding Ramlila Maidan, where a large number of wholesale and retail establishments operate.

20 major markets could face disruption

According to the CTI, nearly 20 major markets in Delhi could be affected by the rally because of their proximity to Ramlila Maidan.

These include Chandni Chowk, Sadar Bazar, Chawri Bazar, Khari Baoli, Bhagirath Palace, Kashmere Gate, Karol Bagh and other prominent commercial areas.

The association has pointed out that these markets attract traders and buyers from different parts of the country. Any disruption to road connectivity and transportation could affect the movement of goods as well as customer footfall.

The traders have also expressed concern about the possible impact on people travelling through Old Delhi and New Delhi railway stations, which are located near the rally venue.

Traders cite previous losses due to protests

The CTI has also referred to business disruptions caused by earlier protests and traffic restrictions in central Delhi.

According to the traders’ body, demonstrations and road closures in October had already resulted in estimated business losses of around Rs 3,000 crore.

The association has warned that a much larger gathering on November 1 could cause further disruption at a time when businesses are preparing for the festive shopping rush.

It has maintained that its appeal is not against the right to hold peaceful political demonstrations but is intended to protect traders and their livelihoods during an important business period.

The association has requested the Congress leadership to consider holding the rally after the festive season instead.

Several parts of India are likely to experience unsettled weather, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting rainfall, thunderstorms and strong winds across multiple regions.

The weather outlook comes amid changing atmospheric conditions associated with Cyclone Arnab and an approaching western disturbance. These systems are expected to influence rainfall activity across parts of northern, eastern and central India.

Rain forecast for northern India

The IMD has forecast widespread rainfall over East Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi on October 29 and 30.

Thunderstorms accompanied by strong winds are also likely in Delhi, Haryana, Chandigarh and Punjab. Wind speeds could reach 50-60 kmph, with gusts of up to 70 kmph, while isolated hailstorms are also possible.

Delhi is expected to experience cloudy conditions, with spells of light rain, thunderstorms and lightning. The forecast also indicates the possibility of moderate rain at isolated locations during the morning.

Eastern and central India may see heavy rain

Rainfall activity is expected across several eastern and central regions, including parts of Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh.

The IMD has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall in parts of Chhattisgarh and East Madhya Pradesh, with isolated extremely heavy rainfall possible in Chhattisgarh. Thunderstorms and gusty winds are also expected in some areas.

Gangetic West Bengal and Jharkhand are expected to receive widespread rainfall during parts of October 28-30. Odisha is also forecast to experience rainfall, while Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim may receive rain on October 29 and 30.

Rainfall expected in island regions

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are forecast to receive fairly widespread to widespread rainfall between October 28 and 31. The weather department has also warned of isolated heavy rainfall in the islands during part of this period.

Residents in affected regions should follow the latest IMD forecasts and local weather advisories, particularly where thunderstorms, strong winds or heavy rainfall are expected.

Former BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh has been included in the Uttar Pradesh BJP’s state executive committee ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections. The appointment marks his first inclusion in the party’s state-level executive panel, according to the report.

The committee was constituted on October 26 by Uttar Pradesh BJP president Pankaj Chaudhary ahead of a meeting scheduled in Lucknow to discuss the party’s organisational work and preparations for the state elections.

Singh, a former president of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), had largely remained away from the BJP’s organisational activities following sexual harassment allegations made by women wrestlers. His inclusion comes nearly three months after a Delhi court acquitted him in the case, although the acquittal has since been challenged.

First inclusion in the state executive committee

Despite his long political career and influence in eastern Uttar Pradesh, Singh had not previously been given a position in the BJP’s national or state organisational structure, according to party sources cited in the report.

A BJP leader described his appointment as the first time Singh had been made a member of the state executive committee. Six other BJP leaders from Gonda district have also been included in the panel.

The expanded committee has 712 members, including 134 special invitees and 30 permanent invitees, according to the report. The previous state executive committee had 184 members.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been included as a permanent invitee from Varanasi. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri and former BJP national president Murli Manohar Joshi are also among those included in the panel.

BJP had dropped Singh from the 2024 Lok Sabha race

The BJP did not field Singh in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections amid the sexual harassment allegations against him. Instead, the party nominated his younger son, Karan Bhushan Singh, from the Kaiserganj constituency, which Brij Bhushan had represented previously.

Karan Bhushan Singh won the seat in his first election. During the campaign, Brij Bhushan Singh confined his campaigning to Kaiserganj and urged voters to support his son, describing the outcome as a response to those he said were attempting to end his political career.

A senior BJP leader quoted in the report said the party had denied Singh a ticket in 2024 because of the allegations. The leader added that the court’s acquittal could allow him to participate more actively in party programmes.

However, any decision about a future Lok Sabha nomination would depend on the party’s leadership.

Acquittal challenged by women wrestlers

On August 3, a Delhi court acquitted Singh in the sexual harassment case involving six women wrestlers. The allegations had triggered widespread protests by prominent wrestlers in 2023 and put the BJP under political pressure.

The acquittal has been challenged by four of the women wrestlers. According to the report, a Delhi court on October 28 gave Singh a week to respond to their appeal.

The legal challenge remains relevant to the case’s status, even as Singh’s inclusion in the state executive signals his return to the BJP’s formal organisational structure.

BJP prepares for the 2027 Uttar Pradesh elections

The state executive committee meeting in Lucknow is intended to discuss the BJP’s organisational roadmap ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections. Union Home Minister Amit Shah is scheduled to address the opening session, while Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is set to address the concluding session, according to the report.

The expanded panel includes leaders from across Uttar Pradesh, with Varanasi and Gorakhpur among the districts with the highest representation.

Singh’s appointment comes as the BJP prepares its organisation for the next Assembly election, while his legal case and political role remain subjects of public and political attention.