The statement made by AAP leader Mr. Saurabh Bhardwaj regarding the traders’ conference organized by the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) on 2nd May is completely misleading and politically motivated.

CAIT National Secretary General and BJP MP Shri Praveen Khandelwal strongly rebutted his statement, stating that no market in Delhi will be shifted or removed. Instead, markets will be redeveloped at their existing locations to provide traders with new business opportunities and modern facilities. In fact, back in 2011, the then Congress government had proposed shifting the chemical trade to Narela and the paper trade to Ghazipur. Even after 14 years, those markets haven’t been shifted, which proves how impractical such plans are.

Mr. Khandelwal stated that the Aam Aadmi Party has never been a well-wisher of traders. The biggest example is the redevelopment of Chandni Chowk. Under the guise of beautification, a huge scam took place, and businesses were destroyed. How can any market function without proper loading and unloading facilities? That entire arrangement was under the Kejriwal government, and today, the business in Chandni Chowk is struggling to survive. Not even once in the past ten years did the AAP government try to understand the pain of the traders.

He added that Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal made grand announcements about modernizing five markets, but not even a single step was taken — no planning, no directives, nothing. He also spoke about organizing shopping festivals, but that too remained just a hollow promise.

In contrast, Delhi’s Chief Minister Mrs. Rekha Gupta, within just 70 days, met Delhi’s traders three times, and numerous trader delegations met her personally. She listened to their issues in detail and responded with a constructive approach.

During Kejriwal’s entire tenure, not even a single meeting was held with traders, which shows his anti-trader mindset.

At the meeting on 2nd May, Mrs. Rekha Gupta announced the formation of a Traders’ Welfare Board, which is a landmark decision in favor of traders. The question is — what stopped Mr. Kejriwal from forming such a board?

Mr. Kejriwal did absolutely nothing to resolve the issue of sealed shops, nor did he notify the 351 roads as promised. Yet, he still claims to be a friend of traders — which is nothing short of a joke.

Traders now clearly understand who stands with them and who merely plays empty politics. It is time for those who have betrayed the trading community to be held accountable, said Mr. Khandelwal.