Thackeray Brothers Join Forces Over ECI Concerns, Set October 4 Mumbai Protest
Mumbai: Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray are set to come together for a joint protest in Mumbai on October 4, focusing their criticism on the Election Commission of India (ECI) and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The announcement was made during a joint press conference held at Raj Thackeray’s residence in Mumbai. The two leaders described the proposed gathering as a protest against the Election Commission rather than a conventional political rally.
The joint move is significant as Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray, who have largely followed separate political paths, are now planning a coordinated public demonstration over issues concerning the electoral process.
Protest to begin in Byculla, end at BMC headquarters
According to the announcement, the October 4 protest is scheduled to begin at around 10 am from the Byculla area of South Mumbai. The gathering will then proceed towards the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) headquarters, where a stage is expected to be set up.
Uddhav and Raj Thackeray are likely to address supporters and participants at the conclusion of the protest.
The two leaders did not provide details about the specific points they intend to raise in their speeches. However, Raj Thackeray indicated that concerns surrounding the functioning of the electoral system and Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) would form part of the broader context of the protest.
Raj Thackeray recalls earlier EVM concerns
Speaking at the press conference, Raj Thackeray said he had been raising concerns about EVMs since 2017-18 and had discussed the issue with leaders from several political parties over the years.
He said the issues that have recently come into focus were serious enough for the two parties to organise a joint demonstration.
Raj also stressed that the October 4 event should not be viewed as a traditional political rally. According to him, its purpose is to protest against the Election Commission and the Chief Election Commissioner.
MVA leaders may be invited
The Thackerays said they would not issue formal invitation letters to their partners in the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). Instead, they said they would personally approach leaders of the alliance and invite them to participate.
They expressed the expectation that political parties and leaders who have previously raised concerns regarding the Election Commission could join the demonstration.
However, participation by Congress and NCP (SP) leaders has not been formally confirmed.
When asked whether leaders from these parties would attend, Uddhav Thackeray said that it could be difficult to bring everyone together on a single stage at the same time. He suggested that political organisations could instead raise their concerns against the Election Commission through protests organised in their own capacity.
Support for October 2 protest
The two Thackeray-led parties have also extended support to a separate protest planned in Mumbai on October 2 by the Cockroach Janata Party.
That demonstration is also expected to focus on the Election Commission and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Uddhav said the broader objective was to support protests against the Election Commission regardless of which political organisation organised them.
A coordinated appearance by the Thackerays
The planned October 4 protest will bring Uddhav and Raj Thackeray together for a joint public mobilisation centred on electoral issues.
The two leaders have maintained separate political organisations and political strategies, making their joint appearance notable in Maharashtra’s political landscape.
For the October 4 demonstration, however, both sides have presented the event as being focused specifically on concerns regarding the Election Commission and the electoral process.
The protest is expected to draw party workers and supporters to central Mumbai, with the march beginning in Byculla and concluding near the BMC headquarters.
The participation of other political parties remains uncertain, and further details about the arrangements and speakers are expected to emerge closer to the October 4 protest.
News source: Information for this article was gathered from a variety of reliable news outlets.
