India, Nov. 1 -- As Opposition leaders are gathering to hold a protest rally on Sunday at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, a key traders' body has once again written to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, claiming that the rally could affect 80% of business across 20 markets.

In its fourth letter to Gandhi, the Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI) has claimed that despite the Congress leader's call to protesters to shop local, the rally could lead to the closure of around 2.5 lakh shops and a halt in transport operations within a 10-km radius.

"You have appealed to people attending today's rally to visit Delhi's markets and shop there. The Confederation of All India Traders (CTI) welcomes this appeal. H...