New Delhi, 01 November (H.S.): Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Sunday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of forcibly shutting shops in Connaught Place and other markets in Delhi during the INDIA bloc’s ‘Chalo Delhi Ramlila March’.

Rahul Gandhi said that people participating in the march had been urged to shop in the capital to help local traders and boost their businesses. However, he alleged that upon reaching Connaught Place, he learnt that the BJP had forced shops to close. He claimed that the country was witnessing how the BJP was causing losses to shopkeepers.

The INDIA bloc is holding a mega rally titled ‘Vote Bachao, Desh Bachao’ at Ramlila Maidan on Sunday, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and a halt to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process.

On Saturday, the INDIA bloc had organised a ‘Jan Mahabhiyog’ programme at the official residence of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, during which an impeachment motion was brought against the Election Commission.

Traffic restrictions have been imposed on the movement of heavy vehicles in areas surrounding Ramlila Maidan. However, certain roads have been kept open to facilitate essential movement, including vehicles heading towards New Delhi Railway Station, emergency services and access to hospitals. Personnel have also been deployed to minimise inconvenience to local residents. Traffic movement at ITO remains normal and has not been affected.

Traffic between New Delhi and Central Delhi, particularly along Minto Road, is expected to be affected to some extent. Alternative routes have been made available to facilitate commuters travelling through the affected stretches.

Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, National Conference MP Farooq Abdullah, Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav, NCP-SCP MP Supriya Sule, Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee, Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Tejashwi Yadav and several other leaders reached Connaught Place.

Leaders of the INDIA bloc subsequently took out a march from Minto Road to Ramlila Maidan.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar