Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday urged people expected to attend the INDIA bloc's Ramlila Maidan rally in Delhi to support local traders by shopping at small businesses alongside participating in the rally. The INDIA bloc is all set to hold a mega rally at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan on Sunday demanding the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI) had urged the Opposition leaders to postpone the November 1 rally, citing concerns over disruption to business in 20 major markets in the national capital that could affect business worth Rs 10,000-12,000 crore. In a message ahead of Sunday's march, Gandhi said lakhs of people were expected to travel to the national capital from different parts of the country. Pointing to the festive season, with Diwali, Chhath and Bhai Dooj around the corner, he appealed to participants to make purchases from local shops and help Delhi's traders. "Tomorrow, lakhs of people are coming to Delhi for the Ramlila March. It is the festive season. Diwali, Chhath and Bhai Dooj are here. I want the lakhs of people coming to Delhi from different parts of the country to support the local traders here. Tomorrow, along with protesting, marching and attending the rally, do a little shopping too. It will help our local traders," Gandhi said. He also dismissed concerns that the rally could hurt traders, accusing the BJP of spreading rumours out of fear. "I know that our rally will not hurt the traders. The BJP is spreading rumours because it is scared. But let's do both. Tomorrow, there will be a march, there will be a rally, and lakhs of people will also buy things from the small shops of our local traders," the Congress leader said. The march, named 'Chalo Dilli', will begin from the Minto Road-Connaught Place junction and culminate at Ramlila Maidan. Leaders of the INDIA bloc are expected to travel in open buses from Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge's residence to the starting point of the march. Delhi Police has said permission has been granted for the rally at Ramlila Maidan, but no application had been received for the proposed procession from the Minto Road-Connaught Place junction. Earlier today, Rahul Gandhi invited people to join the Delhi march. In a post on X, Gandhi shared the route and timing of the march, saying, "See you tomorrow, let's walk together." Traffic restrictions will also be in place across parts of Delhi from 10 am to 5 pm on Sunday. Diversions are planned at key intersections, including ITO, Delhi Gate, Rajghat, Ajmeri Gate and Turkman Gate. Commuters have been advised to avoid stretches around Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, Jawaharlal Nehru Marg, Minto Road and Desh Bandhu Gupta Road. Special arrangements will be made to ensure the movement of ambulances and emergency vehicles towards LNJP and GB Pant hospitals. Passengers travelling to New Delhi Railway Station have also been advised to plan their journeys in advance. Apoorva Shukla is a journalist at Times Now, where she thrives on dissecting political developments both at home and abroad. A graduate of Delhi Univ... View More