Thackeray Brothers Announce October 4 Mumbai March Against Election Commission

The announcement was made at a joint press conference on Tuesday, marking a public appearance by the Thackeray cousins on a common political platform. The protest will focus on allegations raised by the opposition over the Election Commission's functioning and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

Raj Thackeray said the demonstration would be presented as a non-partisan movement rather than a rally representing either the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena or Shiv Sena (UBT).

According to the plan announced by the organisers, participants will gather at 10 a.m. at the Richardson & Cruddas premises in Byculla. The march is expected to begin between 11 a.m. and 11.30 a.m. and proceed towards Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus. It will conclude near the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation headquarters, where a public meeting will be held.

Raj Thackeray said concerns over electronic voting machines and alleged electoral irregularities had been raised by him for several years.

“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,” he said.

He added that the issues raised by the protesters would be addressed from the stage during the October 4 gathering.

The two parties have also decided against displaying their respective party flags or banners during the march. Participants will instead carry only the Indian National Flag, which the organisers said was intended to underline the protest's focus on democracy and the Constitution.

Raj Thackeray said the organisers would personally contact opposition parties by phone to invite them to participate rather than sending formal invitations. He also said leaders from ruling parties who have concerns about the Election Commission's functioning would be welcome to speak at the public meeting.

The MNS chief also responded to criticism from the BJP, which has accused opposition parties of making what it described as fabricated allegations against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the poll panel.

“If our protest is directed strictly at the Election Commission, why is the BJP feeling the heat?” Raj Thackeray said, before using the Marathi saying “Khai tyala khavkhave”, which roughly conveys the idea that a guilty conscience needs no accuser.

Uddhav and Raj Thackeray also rejected the suggestion that their planned protest was being organised in competition with other opposition demonstrations on electoral issues. Their comments came in response to a question about a nationwide protest announced by the Congress.

Raj Thackeray said similar protests organised by citizens or local groups would also be welcome.

The proposed march follows a meeting between political leaders and Maharashtra Chief Electoral Officer S Chockalingam over concerns surrounding alleged irregularities in the SIR exercise.

Raj Thackeray had also criticised the Election Commission on social media over the weekend, alleging that the institution had been functioning like a “branch office” of the ruling establishment under CEC Gyanesh Kumar and accusing it of facilitating large-scale voter fraud.

The October 4 march is expected to draw attention to the opposition's concerns over electoral processes in Maharashtra and comes as the Thackeray cousins make a joint political appearance on an issue concerning the poll panel.

Uddhav Thackeray also announced his support for a protest planned by the Cockroach Janata Party in Mumbai on October 2 against CEC Gyanesh Kumar.