Thackeray Brothers Lead Gharjana Morcha in Mumbai, Challenge Election Commission on Voter List Controversy
In a powerful show of unity, Raj and Uddhav Thackeray led a march in Mumbai, demanding accountability from the Election Commission over voter list issues.
Mumbai, October 4 (Daily Kiran) : Political unity was on full display in Mumbai as Raj Thackeray, leader of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), and Uddhav Thackeray of Shiv Sena (UBT) spearheaded a vigorous ‘Gharjana Morcha’ on Sunday. The march, which began at Metro Cinema and concluded at the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) headquarters, served as a sharp critique of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the Election Commission of India (ECI), accusing them of discrepancies in the voter list.
The rally saw key components of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), including the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and the Congress Party, unite on the streets, amplifying the protest’s momentum. Participants included members from communist parties, farmers, and workers’ unions, all demanding accountability. Thousands marched with party flags and the national tricolor, calling for an end to the controversial Special Intensive Review (SIR) process and the immediate resignation of the Chief Election Commissioner.
Raj Thackeray pointed to the eerie silence across Maharashtra following the recent assembly election results, questioning the legitimacy of the electoral process. He argued that genuine democratic mandates are reflected in spontaneous public celebrations, contrasting this with the current environment of disillusionment and shock post-elections.
He expressed concern over the sudden increase in Maharashtra’s voter base, which reportedly grew by 4 to 6 million in just six months after the Lok Sabha elections. Thackeray labeled this surge a deliberate attempt to compromise electoral integrity.
Recalling warnings made in 2017-2018, he highlighted past discussions with senior leaders such as Sonia Gandhi, Mamata Banerjee, and Sharad Pawar regarding the vulnerabilities of electronic voting machines (EVMs) and inconsistencies in the voter list. Thackeray reiterated that a united boycott of elections is the only way to ensure transparency.
He condemned the SIR process, claiming it serves as a tool to disenfranchise legitimate voters through fraudulent entries. Thackeray demanded an immediate halt to the SIR process and called for a return to paper ballots in future elections, stating, “SIR is illegal in the country. My two demands are simple: end SIR in Maharashtra and conduct all future elections on paper ballots for complete transparency.”
He urged all political parties to unite and raise their voices in Delhi, emphasizing that power must be attained through legitimate means, regardless of which party comes to power.
Uddhav Thackeray, in his address, launched a fierce attack on the BJP-led central government for its alleged control over various institutions and engineering divisions within political parties. He criticized Gyanesh Kumar for centralizing power within the election panel and called for his removal, questioning the privileges he enjoys during and after his tenure.
Tensions surrounding the election process in Maharashtra continue to escalate, as both Thackeray brothers rally their supporters for accountability and reform.
