IndiaPosted at: Nov 2 2026 10:00AM


Jairam Ramesh says BJP's Campaign against INDIA rally backfired, Delhi traders benefited

New Delhi, Nov 2 (UNI) Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh on Monday claimed that the BJP's campaign to discourage people from attending the INDIA bloc's 'Vote Bachao, Desh Bachao' Maha Rally in Delhi had spectacularly backfired, with traders, shopkeepers and street vendors benefiting from the arrival of visitors from across the country.
In a post on X, Ramesh alleged that the BJP had deliberately spread apprehensions about possible business losses and market closures to discredit the Opposition rally and prevent people from travelling to the national capital.
However, he said, the response of the public had exposed what he described as the hollowness of the BJP's propaganda.
"BJP's entire propaganda has fallen flat," Ramesh said, accusing the ruling party of attempting to divert attention from the Opposition's allegations of vote theft and its demand for accountability from the Election Commission, particularly Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Arguing that a large gathering of people from different parts of the country inevitably generated economic activity, Ramesh said the rally had helped rather than hurt Delhi's commercial establishments. He maintained that local markets, wholesale traders, small shopkeepers and street vendors had all benefited from the influx of visitors.
He also credited people with responding positively to Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi's appeal to support local businesses while participating in the democratic protest.
According to Ramesh, shops in Old Delhi's wholesale markets remained open and witnessed substantial business, while roadside vendors and small traders also reported brisk sales.
"People responded to this misinformation campaign in their own way. On Rahul Gandhi's appeal, they went shopping in Delhi's markets," he said, adding that newspaper reports had exposed the weakness of the BJP's campaign.
Thanking Delhi's traders, shopkeepers and citizens for their support, Ramesh said the rally had demonstrated that democratic participation and commercial activity were not mutually exclusive.
"The voice of democracy cannot be suppressed either through fear or misinformation," he asserted, accusing the BJP of trying to discourage public participation through misleading claims.
In a further political attack, the Congress leader alleged that the BJP and the government had relied on such tactics for the past 12 years but could no longer mislead the public. Referring sarcastically to the BJP leadership as the "minister of false promises", he said people were determined to defend their voting rights, protect their livelihoods and demand accountability.
The INDIA bloc's Maha Rally at Ramlila Maidan on Sunday was part of the Opposition's intensifying campaign against alleged irregularities in electoral rolls and what it describes as large-scale vote theft.
Opposition parties have accused the Election Commission of failing to ensure transparency in the electoral process and have demanded accountability from Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The rally marked another major mobilisation in the Opposition's effort to turn electoral integrity into a nationwide political movement.
The Congress has maintained that protecting citizens' voting rights and ensuring the credibility of elections are fundamental to the functioning of a democratic system.
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Tags: #Jairam Ramesh says BJP's Campaign against INDIA rally backfired# Delhi traders benefited
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