Congress and BJP Trade Barbs Over Upcoming Delhi Rallies During Festive Season

A political standoff has emerged between the Congress and the BJP in New Delhi regarding planned public demonstrations during the peak festive season. Both parties have questioned the legitimacy of the other's scheduled events, citing potential economic disruption for traders and environmental concerns.

The Dispute

• Congress Rally: The Congress party is scheduled to hold a 'Vote Bachao' rally at Ramlila Maidan on November 1. Some traders' organizations have requested its cancellation, citing potential business losses and concerns over air pollution during Diwali and Dhanteras shopping.
• BJP March: The BJP is planning a procession in Chandni Chowk on October 28. DPCC president Devender Yadav questioned the BJP's opposition to the Congress rally while simultaneously planning their own large-scale event, labeling it as political duplicity.

Official Perspectives

• Congress: Rahul Gandhi has engaged with traders on social media, linking political issues to the broader economic climate. Party chief Mallikarjun Kharge has highlighted inflation as a core concern for the public during the festive season.
• BJP: Delhi BJP president Harsh Malhotra dismissed the Congress's criticism, characterizing the BJP's event as a short, symbolic padayatra. He accused the Congress of having a history of causing prolonged public and business disruptions through its past protests.

Mitigating Measures

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has announced plans to mitigate the impact of the November 1 rally at Ramlila Maidan:

• Deployment of water sprinklers to suppress dust pollution.
• Designated parking areas within the maidan to reduce road congestion.
• A ban on non-BS-VI-compliant vehicles in the vicinity.

Stakeholders, including the Chamber of Trade and Industry, have suggested postponing the November 1 rally until after November 10 to avoid conflict with essential commerce. Official permissions and traffic management updates can be verified through local municipal and police department announcements.