The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) estimates that its members would influence poll results in 195 Lok Sabha constituencies in 19 States. The traders’ body in a statement on Friday said the community felt grossly neglected.

3 seats in Capital

Based on analysis undertaken during its recently concluded national conference in Puducherry, CAIT said that the seats in which traders would have an important role to play include “Three seats in Delhi -- Chandni Chowk, New Delhi and South Delhi, 33 seats in UP, 11 seats in Rajasthan, 13 seats in Gujarat, 21 seats in Maharashtra, 14 seats in MP, four seats in Chattisgarh, 16 seats in West Bengal, seven seats in North East region, six seats in Jharkhand, 15 seats in Bihar, 16 seats in Tamil Nadu, three seats in Telangana, four seats in Andhra Pradesh, five seats in Kerala, seven seats in Odisha, four seats in Haryana, three seats in Punjab and 10 seats in Karnataka.” It claimed that in all these constituencies traders constitute about 40% of the total votes.

CAIT national president, B.C Bhartia said that even though traders are seen as a ‘core vote bank’ of the BJP, the party had not given them due importance and long-standing issues of traders remain unsolved. Meanwhile, other parties stayed away, making them feel like an ‘orphan child,’ he said.

Long-standing issues

Problems faced by traders include disadvantages faced from e-commerce, impact of FDI in single brand retail and cash & carry stores, absence of a specific Ministry to oversee domestic trade, non-availability of finance from banks and financial institutions, harassment by tax and other departments, corruption in government departments especially among lower grade officials, lack of improvement of commercial markets, lack of security to traders and in markets where cash movement is high and lack of incentives to traders for collection of tax on behalf of the government, said Mr. Bhartia. In Delhi, he highlighted problems of sealing and the Rent Act as well.