Fighting for electoral integrity: Thackeray brothers announce October 4 march against ECI

Mumbai: In a bid to signal a unified front against the Election Commission of India (ECI), Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray and Shiv Sena (UBT) President Uddhav Thackeray on Tuesday addressed a joint press conference to unveil the blueprint for a public protest march scheduled for October 4.

The demonstration is directed against the ECI, led by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, accusing the body of functioning as an "extension of the ruling party" at the Centre and deceiving voters through the controversial Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process.

Outlining the logistics and roadmap for the October 4 rally, Raj Thackeray announced that the protest is structured as a non-partisan movement representing the collective voice of citizens.

Protesters will assemble at 10:00 a.m. at the Richardson & Cruddas premises in Byculla. The march will move from Byculla toward Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) between 11:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.. The march will terminate near the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) headquarters where a stage will be set up to convert the rally into a public meeting.

"We have been consistently raising concerns over EVM manipulation and electoral malpractices for years. Back in 2017–18, I met several political leaders regarding these issues. This march stands against the humiliation of voters and the subversion of our electoral integrity. Whatever we have to say, we will deliver directly from the stage on October 4," Raj Thackeray stated.

Emphasising that the demonstration transcends individual party politics, the Thackeray cousin brothers laid down strict guidelines for participants.

They said neither the MNS nor Shiv Sena (UBT) will carry party flags or banners. All marchers will carry exclusively the Indian National Flag to underscore the fight for democracy and the Constitution.

Rather than sending formal letters, the leadership will personally place phone calls to all Opposition parties, inviting them to join the movement, said Raj Thackeray adding that leaders from ruling parties who oppose the poll panel's functioning are also welcome on stage.

Responding to allegations from the BJP which claimed that the Opposition is manufacturing "fabricated stories" regarding CEC Gyanesh Kumar to blame the poll panel for political failures — Raj Thackeray dismissed the ruling party's defence with a sharp Marathi idiom. "If our protest is directed strictly at the Election Commission, why is the BJP feeling the heat? As the Marathi saying goes, 'Khai tyala khavkhave (guilty conscience needs no accuser)'," he said.

Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray said that there is no competition on who organises the protest march against the CEC and the malfunctioning of the poll panel. They were replying to a question on a nationwide protest organised by the Congress party on the issue.

Raj Thackeray added that if residents of a housing society hold such a protest, it is welcome.

The joint call for action follows a high-level meeting with Maharashtra Chief Electoral Officer S Chockalingam regarding irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR).

Over the weekend, Raj Thackeray took to social media platform X to attack the poll panel, alleging that under CEC Gyanesh Kumar, the ECI has acted like a "branch office" of the ruling establishment to perpetrate massive voter fraud.

The upcoming October 4 demonstration marks a significant reunion of the Thackeray brothers on a shared political stage, setting the stage for a major political confrontation in Mumbai ahead of key electoral battles.

Meanwhile, Uddhav Thackeray announced his full support for the agitation by Cockroach Janata Party on October 2 in Mumbai against CEC Gyanesh Kumar.

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