Rahul Says Removing Poll Chief Would End Traders’ Protest in Seconds
WHO:
NDTV - Congress leader and Lok Sabha Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi addressed Delhi traders in a post on X.
The Hindu - Rahul Gandhi asked traders to tell Prime Minister Narendra Modi to “sack accused no. 4,” Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
NDTV - The Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI), through chairman Brijesh Goyal, asked Gandhi to postpone the INDIA bloc rally.
The Hindu - The opposition INDIA bloc is organizing the rally and campaigning over “vote chori” and alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
WHAT:
NDTV - Gandhi said protests would stop in “30 seconds” if Modi sacked Gyanesh Kumar.
The Hindu - Gandhi wrote: “With a stolen vote nothing is safe - your shop, your savings, your children's future.”
NDTV - CTI warned the rally could disrupt commercial activity worth Rs 10,000 crore in Delhi.
The Hindu - CTI said Delhi records around ₹25,000 crore in business around Dhanteras across sectors including gold and silver, electronics, clothing, utensils, dry fruits, sweets, automobiles, property and gifts.
NDTV - Gandhi rejected CTI’s appeal to postpone the rally; CTI requested it be held after November 10.
The Hindu - The rally seeks to increase pressure on the government over “vote chori” and demand the Chief Election Commissioner’s resignation.
WHERE:
NDTV - The rally is planned for Ramlila Maidan in Delhi, near Old Delhi’s wholesale and retail markets.
The Hindu - Gandhi’s post referred to traders and businesses in Delhi.
WHEN:
NDTV - The rally is scheduled for November 1; CTI asked that it be postponed until after November 10.
The Hindu - Dhanteras falls on November 6, Diwali on November 8, and Bhai Dooj on November 10.
NDTV - CTI said markets typically have their heaviest customer footfall in the week before the festivals.
The Hindu - Gandhi’s post said the protests would stop in “30 seconds.”
WHY:
NDTV - CTI said the rally’s timing could disrupt peak festive-season trade, including business near Ramlila Maidan.
The Hindu - CTI said postponing the rally would help protect business activity during one of the busiest periods of the year.
NDTV - The opposition’s protest targets Kumar’s handling of the SIR exercise and alleged unilateral decisions by the Election Commission.
HOW:
NDTV - Gandhi made his appeal in a post on X, telling traders to approach Modi about dismissing Kumar.
The Hindu - On October 12, opposition leaders, activists and civil society members marched along a heavily barricaded route in Delhi and filed a joint petition in the Supreme Court challenging the SIR.
NDTV - Gandhi hosted INDIA bloc leaders for tea at his Delhi home after the march; the alliance said it would continue its campaign against “vote chori.”
(UPDATED October 26, 2026 17:09 UTC)
Rahul Gandhi urged Delhi traders to tell Prime Minister Narendra Modi to sack Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, saying protests would stop in “30 seconds” if he did. Gandhi rejected a request from the Chamber of Trade and Industry to postpone the INDIA bloc’s November 1 rally at Ramlila Maidan, which is planned to protest alleged “vote chori” and irregularities in electoral roll revisions. The trade group warned the rally could disrupt peak festive-season business, with activity around the festivals worth thousands of crores, and asked for it to be held after November 10.