Delhi BJP chief Harsh Malhotra slams Congress, AAP protests as anti-trader
Synopsis
Delhi BJP President Harsh Malhotra has gone on the offensive, accusing Congress, AAP, and a broad opposition coalition of deliberately disrupting the festive trade season — framing their protests not as democratic dissent but as electoral panic ahead of Assembly elections due in early 2027.
Key Takeaways
Delhi BJP President Harsh Malhotra on 3 October accused Congress , AAP , and allied opposition parties of staging protests that are harming traders during the festive season.
The annual festival and business season began across the country, including Delhi and Mumbai , from 1 October .
Malhotra alleged that opposition agitation had already disrupted business in the capital throughout July .
He linked the protests to electoral anxiety, citing upcoming Assembly elections in early 2027 and the AAP's reported vulnerability in Punjab .
Malhotra also paid tribute to former Delhi Pradesh BJP President Kedar Nath Sahni on his death anniversary, with family members including son Pradeep Sahni present at the Delhi BJP office .
Delhi Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Harsh Malhotra on Saturday, 3 October accused the Indian National Congress, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), and several other opposition parties of staging what he called 'hollow protests' against the Chief Election Commissioner, alleging that the demonstrations are disrupting trade and commerce during the crucial festive season that began across the country — including in Delhi and Mumbai — from 1 October.
Malhotra's Core Allegations
Malhotra charged that these parties are 'vitiating the country's political atmosphere' and placing undue pressure on the police and administration. He argued that the protests are doing a direct disservice to traders by disturbing law and order at a time when the annual festival and business season — one of the most commercially significant periods of the year — is in full swing. He also alleged that opposition agitation had already caused business disruptions in the national capital throughout July.
'Several organisations have contacted us and condemned these protests, which are being carried out of fear of political defeat,' Malhotra said, claiming that Delhi's business associations are alarmed at the prospect of a three-month trade season being derailed.
Opposition Parties Named in Criticism
Beyond the Congress and AAP, Malhotra extended his criticism to the Communist parties, the Samajwadi Party, the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), and the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) led by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. He described these parties as 'defeated and frustrated,' alleging that their collective protests are an attempt to destabilise the country's economy during the festive period.
Assembly Election Context
Malhotra also framed the protests in the context of upcoming electoral contests. He noted that with Assembly elections scheduled for early 2027, the AAP already faces the prospect of losing power in Punjab, while the Congress, he claimed, is staring at significant defeats in Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Goa, and Punjab. The BJP leader suggested that electoral anxiety is the principal driver behind the opposition's street agitation.
Tribute to Kedar Nath Sahni
In a separate development at the same event, Malhotra paid tributes to Kedar Nath Sahni — former Delhi Pradesh BJP President, former Chief Executive Councillor of Delhi, and former Governor of Goa and Sikkim — on his death anniversary. Malhotra described Sahni's life, spanning the era of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh to the founding of the Bharatiya Janata Party in 1980, as 'a symbol of dedication to the organisation, discipline, honesty and inspiration for party workers.' He also noted that Sahni made significant contributions towards safeguarding the interests and rehabilitation of Hindu families displaced from Jammu and Kashmir. Pradeep Sahni, son of Kedar Nath Sahni, along with other family members, attended the event held at the Delhi BJP office.
The BJP's broadside comes as opposition parties continue to press their protests, with the festive season set to test whether political agitation and commercial activity can coexist in the capital over the coming weeks.
Point of View
Which weakens the credibility of the charge. More broadly, the BJP's decision to conflate protests against the Chief Election Commissioner with anti-trade activity conflates two distinct issues — democratic accountability and commercial disruption — in a way that deserves scrutiny. With Delhi and Punjab elections on the horizon, both sides are clearly in campaign mode, and the festive season has become the latest front in that battle.
NationPress
3 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Delhi BJP President Harsh Malhotra accuse Congress and AAP of?
Malhotra accused the Congress, AAP, and several other opposition parties of staging 'hollow protests' against the Chief Election Commissioner that are disrupting trade and commerce during the festive season, which began on 1 October. He alleged the protests are harming traders by disturbing law and order at a commercially critical time of year.
Which opposition parties did Malhotra criticise?
Beyond Congress and AAP, Malhotra named the Communist parties, the Samajwadi Party, the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), and the All India Trinamool Congress led by Mamata Banerjee. He described them collectively as 'defeated and frustrated' parties attempting to destabilise the economy.
How did Malhotra connect the protests to upcoming elections?
Malhotra argued that the protests are driven by fear of electoral defeat, noting that Assembly elections are due in early 2027. He claimed the AAP faces the prospect of losing power in Punjab, while Congress is staring at defeats in Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Goa, and Punjab.
Who was Kedar Nath Sahni and why was he remembered at this event?
Kedar Nath Sahni was a former Delhi Pradesh BJP President, former Chief Executive Councillor of Delhi, and former Governor of both Goa and Sikkim. Malhotra paid tribute to him on his death anniversary at the Delhi BJP office, describing his life as a symbol of discipline and dedication from the Bharatiya Jana Sangh era through the founding of the BJP in 1980.
What impact do the protests allegedly have on Delhi's trade?
According to Malhotra, opposition protests had already adversely affected business in Delhi throughout July. He warned that renewed agitation now threatens the upcoming three-month trade season, which runs through the festive period, and claimed that Delhi business organisations have reached out to the BJP to condemn the disruptions.
