India, Nov. 1 -- The political confrontation over the INDIA bloc's rally at Ramlila Maidan intensified on Sunday, with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi accusing the BJP of forcibly shutting shops in Delhi's Connaught Place and causing losses to traders.

In a video posted on X while travelling to the rally, Gandhi said he had earlier urged people coming to the capital for the march to shop at local markets during the festive season. However, he claimed that shops in Connaught Place had been forcibly closed by the BJP, preventing visitors from making purchases.

"So, you should know who is causing the loss to the traders, and how it's happening," he said.

Gandhi's remarks came amid criticism from BJP leaders over the timing of the Opposition ...