New Delhi: The ongoing protests are inconveniencing traders and ordinary Delhiites, CM Rekha Gupta said at a press meet Wednesday. The closure of metro stations, an adverse impact on shops and commercial activities, along with disruptions of general movement are heavily affecting economic activities in the capital.She targeted opposition parties over the SIR row and asked whether CJP had raised similar concerns in other states. Defending the SIR of electoral rolls, she asked why objections were being raised now when such revisions had been conducted under govts of different political parties at Centre and in states.“Election Commission has carried out SIR at different times under successive govts. The last SIR in Delhi took place in 2002. Why was there no similar opposition to the process at that time?” Gupta said.Targeting AAP, she said no similar opposition had emerged when the party was in office in Delhi. She said political parties should adopt a responsible approach towards democratic institutions and not inconvenience the public in the name of protests, accusing opposition parties of diverting attention from development and public welfare for political reasons.Delhi Congress president Devender Yadav hit back, saying that people were troubled by this BJP govt’s misgovernance, not the opposition’s agitation. “The CM should focus on her govt’s performance rather than criticising protests. From waterlogging, building collapses and pollution to demolition of slums and traffic congestion, govt has failed to address people’s concerns. Opposition’s responsibility is to hold govt accountable, while govt must provide relief to people. In a democracy, misgovernance and not protests must end,” said Yadav.Yadav said names of nearly 50 lakh voters have been deleted from Delhi’s electoral rolls. “The 2026 SIR is an attempt to undermine democracy. Theft of votes must stop,” he said.
