Thackeray brothers stage massive protest in Mumbai over SIAR vote rigging

Election of the Nation: In Mumbai today, Shiv Sena (UBT) and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) staged a strong protest against vote theft during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR), conducting elections using ballot papers. On the occasion, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Eknath Shinde, addressing a large gathering, alleged that the names of approximately 13 crore (130 million) individuals have been removed from electoral rolls across the country, while similar cases of voter deletions have also emerged in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu. He stated that affected individuals have approached the Supreme Court to protect their right to vote. Addressing a protest march in Mumbai, Shinde said that people across the country are now uniting against vote theft. He also questioned the appointment of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, alleging that he was appointed to the post in a partisan manner.

Shinde stated that during the Congress regime, an environment was created in which it was labeled as the most corrupt government in the country's history, and the slogan "India Against Corruption" was raised. According to him, the voice of "India Against Vote Theft" is now being heard in the country.

On the occasion, MNS chief Raj Thackeray demanded the cancellation of the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process in the state. He also appealed for the use of ballot papers instead of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in the electoral process. Raj Thackeray stated that if these two measures are implemented, the truth regarding the electoral process will become clear.

The protest, led by Eknath Shinde and Raj Thackeray, was a march against alleged manipulations in electoral rolls and irregularities during the SIR, as well as against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The march began from Metro Cinema in South Mumbai and concluded at the headquarters of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). Extensive security arrangements were made at key locations in view of the protest, while banners and other arrangements at the rally site had already been completed.

A large number of people, including youth and women, participated in the demonstration. Several protesters held placards bearing slogans against the Chief Election Commissioner, demanding his resignation. Meanwhile, BJP leader Ram Kadam questioned Shinde's current stance by drawing attention to his previous position. Kadam claimed that Shinde had led a march on November 9, 2025, demanding the removal of alleged fake names from electoral rolls. According to Ram Kadam, this protest was named "Satyagraha Morcha," and during it, Shinde had presented multiple pieces of evidence in support of his claims regarding electoral rolls. Thus, the political disagreement between the Thackeray brothers and the BJP regarding the review of electoral rolls, the SIR procedure, and the voting system has once again come to the fore.