'Connaught Place Shops Shut Forcibly': Rahul Gandhi Blames BJP For Traders' Loss During INDIA Bloc Rally

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday accused the BJP of forcing shops in Delhi's Connaught Place to shut ahead of the INDIA bloc's 'Chalo Delhi' march, alleging that the move had caused financial losses to local traders.

In a post on X, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha said the opposition had encouraged people attending the march and rally to shop at local markets. However, he claimed that participants found commercial establishments closed when they reached Connaught Place.

"We told everyone that when you come here for the march and the mega rally, buy things, do some shopping. But, while coming to Connaught Place here, we found out that the BJP has forcibly shut down every single shop. So, you should know who is causing the loss to the traders, and how it's happening!" Gandhi said.

His remarks came as thousands of opposition supporters gathered in the capital for the INDIA bloc's demonstration at Ramlila Maidan, with security arrangements and traffic restrictions in place across parts of Central Delhi.

Several opposition leaders and supporters from across the country assembled in Delhi for the 'Chalo Delhi' march. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, AICC general secretary KC Venugopal, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Abhishek Banerjee, Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren, Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav were among those who joined the procession.

Carrying banners bearing the slogan 'Vote Bachao, Desh Bachao' (Save the Vote, Save the Nation), the leaders and demonstrators marched against alleged irregularities in electoral rolls and the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise.

The opposition alliance has accused the Election Commission of India of allowing legitimate voters to be removed from electoral rolls and demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. It has also called for the replacement of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) with paper ballots.

The march began at the Minto Road-Connaught Place junction and proceeded towards Ramlila Maidan amid tight security. Nearly 10,000 police and paramilitary personnel have been deployed across Central Delhi, with multi-layered barricading and drone surveillance in place.

Meanwhile, the BJP organised a march in West Delhi to remember the victims of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, accusing the Congress of holding a political rally on the anniversary of the violence. The BJP's march was scheduled to begin at Hari Nagar Bus Depot and proceed towards Tilak Nagar Metro Station.

Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, Minister of State Harsh Malhotra, Sardar HS Phoolka, Manjinder Singh Sirsa and MP Bansuri Swaraj were among those named to lead the march, along with members of the Sikh community.

Rahul Gandhi accused the BJP of forcing shops in Connaught Place to shut down ahead of the INDIA bloc's march. He alleged this caused financial losses to local traders. The march protested alleged irregularities in electoral rolls and the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision.

The alliance demanded the Chief Election Commissioner's resignation and EVM replacement. The BJP organized a march in West Delhi to remember victims of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. They accused Congress of holding a political rally on the anniversary of the violence.

Prominent leaders included Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Akhilesh Yadav, Mamata Banerjee, Hemant Soren, Revanth Reddy, and Tejashwi Yadav. ABP Live News delivers round-the-clock coverage of India and the world, tracking politics, policy, governance, crime, courts and breaking developments, while offering sharp, verified reporting that helps readers stay informed, aware and connected to the stories shaping public life.