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Politics
Rahul Gandhi slams BJP over forced shop closures in Connaught Place during rally
✍️ TOI India
🗓 01 Nov 2026, 02:51 PM
👁 1
During a large rally in Delhi’s Connaught Place, Rahul Gandhi accused the BJP government of ordering the shutdown of every shop, calling it a forced closure.
Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi addressed a massive crowd gathered in Connaught Place, New Delhi, and alleged that the ruling BJP had ordered the closure of every shop in the area for the duration of the rally. He described the move as a forced shutdown that disrupted local businesses and inconvenienced residents.
Gandhi’s remarks came as the party staged a high‑visibility campaign event ahead of the upcoming general elections, seeking to highlight what he termed the government's heavy‑handed approach to dissent. He urged shop owners to resist such directives and called for a restoration of normal commercial activity.
The BJP, which controls the Delhi administration, has not issued a detailed response to the accusation, but officials have previously cited security and crowd‑control reasons for temporary restrictions in the commercial hub during large public gatherings.
Analysts note that the incident underscores the political tussle over Delhi’s central business district, a symbolic venue for both parties during election season.
Gandhi’s remarks came as the party staged a high‑visibility campaign event ahead of the upcoming general elections, seeking to highlight what he termed the government's heavy‑handed approach to dissent. He urged shop owners to resist such directives and called for a restoration of normal commercial activity.
The BJP, which controls the Delhi administration, has not issued a detailed response to the accusation, but officials have previously cited security and crowd‑control reasons for temporary restrictions in the commercial hub during large public gatherings.
Analysts note that the incident underscores the political tussle over Delhi’s central business district, a symbolic venue for both parties during election season.