Uddhav and Raj Thackeray Lead Massive Joint Protest in Mumbai Against CEC Gyanesh Kumar, Demand Scrapping of SIR

Mumbai: In a rare display of united political force, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) president Raj Thackeray took to the streets of Mumbai on Sunday to protest against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. The joint agitation, which saw the participation of thousands of party workers and citizens, culminated in a protest march moving from the Metro station to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) headquarters.

Both leaders demanded the immediate resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar, alleging severe irregularities in the electoral roll revision and questioning the neutrality of the Election Commission of India (ECI).

Scrap SIR in Maharashtra: Raj Thackeray

Addressing the massive gathering, MNS chief Raj Thackeray demanded the immediate rollback of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process in Maharashtra.

"The SIR process across Maharashtra must be annulled," Raj Thackeray stated. "Under the law, an SIR is conducted only under emergency conditions. During the Assembly elections, between 40 to 60 lakh voter names were added, facilitating power grab. Now, through SIR, nearly 2 crore voters are being removed. Who are these 2 crore voters?"

Clarifying that his stance was not driven by personal vendetta, Raj Thackeray added, "Our opposition is against how the government is being run and how state power is being misused. Who forms the government and how it functions must be decided by the people, not by the Election Commission."

Uddhav Thackeray Questions CEC Appointment Process

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray mounted an attack on the central government over voter roll purges and the mechanism used to appoint election commissioners, calling the CEC "a tool of the ruling BJP."

Thackeray pointed out that over 13 crore names have been deleted from voter lists nationwide, highlighting similar grievances in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu. "People in West Bengal had to approach the Supreme Court just to demand their right to vote during by-elections," he said.

Uddhav also criticized the amended appointment panel for election commissioners: "Election Commissioners should be chosen through a truly democratic process. Previously, the selection committee included the Chief Justice of India, the Prime Minister, and the Leader of Opposition. The central government removed the CJI and replaced him with a Union Minister nominated by the Prime Minister."

Growing Scrutiny Over ECI Decisions

Sunday's Mumbai march marks the third major demonstration across two major cities within the span of three days demanding Gyanesh Kumar’s exit.

Scrutiny surrounding the CEC deepened following reports indicating that fellow Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had formally objected on record at least 14 times regarding orders and decisions tied to the SIR process. Reports allege that multiple key decisions were executed without their prior knowledge or formal recommendation, triggering widespread outrage and nationwide protests by opposition outfits.

Civil society organizations have also stepped up pressure. Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke previously warned that if Gyanesh Kumar does not resign, widespread peaceful demonstrations under the "Cockroach Movement" will converge on Delhi on October 10.