Mumbai, September 29, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray and Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray on Tuesday announced a joint public protest march against the Election Commission of India (ECI), scheduled to be held in Mumbai on October 4, alleging irregularities in the electoral process and raising concerns over the poll panel’s functioning.
Addressing a joint press conference, the Thackeray cousins outlined the arrangements for the march, which they described as a non-partisan movement representing citizens’ concerns about electoral integrity. They accused the ECI, led by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, of functioning as an “extension of the ruling party” at the Centre and alleged that voters were being misled through the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process.
Raj Thackeray said participants would assemble at 10 a.m. at the Richardson & Cruddas premises in Byculla. The march is scheduled to begin between 11 a.m. and 11:30 a.m., proceeding towards Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT). It will conclude near the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) headquarters, where a stage will be set up for 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 said.
The two leaders said the demonstration would not carry the identity of either political party. Participants have been asked not to bring MNS or Shiv Sena (UBT) flags or banners and will instead carry only the Indian National Flag, which they said would underline the march’s focus on democracy and the Constitution.
Raj Thackeray said the leadership would personally call Opposition parties to invite them to participate, rather than sending formal letters. He added that leaders from ruling parties who disagreed with the poll panel’s functioning would also be welcome to address the gathering.
Responding to BJP allegations that the Opposition was creating “fabricated stories” about Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to deflect attention from its political failures, Raj Thackeray questioned why the BJP was reacting to a protest directed at the Election Commission.
“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.
The Thackeray leaders also said there was no competition over who would organise protests against the CEC or the functioning of the poll panel. They were responding to a question about a nationwide protest organised by the Congress on the issue. Raj Thackeray added that protests organised by residents of housing societies would also be welcome.
The joint announcement follows a meeting with Maharashtra Chief Electoral Officer S. Chockalingam to discuss alleged irregularities in the SIR process. Over the weekend, Raj Thackeray had also criticised the ECI in a post on X, alleging that under Gyanesh Kumar, the poll panel had acted like a “branch office” of the ruling establishment and facilitated large-scale voter fraud.
The proposed march marks a joint political appearance by the Thackeray cousins on the issue of electoral integrity. Uddhav Thackeray also announced his full support for a protest planned by the Cockroach Janata Party in Mumbai on October 2 against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
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