Kayande dares Thackeray camp to prove charges against ex-mayor Meenakshi Shinde

On Sunday, the Thackeray cousins held a "Garjana Morcha" and demanded the resignation of Election Commission chief Gyanesh Kumar. Leaders of the ruling alliance government at the Centre and in the state criticised the Thackerays after the demand. Dr Manisha Kayande, who was once considered very close to Uddhav Thackeray, also spoke on the march and made a statement on the Disha Salian case.

Speaking on the march, Kayande also referred to the murder of Pradeep Purnekar, a Shiv Sena (UBT) division chief in Thane. She replied to the criticism being directed at former mayor Meenakshi Shinde.

On the death of Disha Salian, Kayande said Salian's father had been fighting for justice for the past six years. She also said he had gone to Matoshree to serve a notice, and that the court has ordered the police to register an FIR.

In the Purnekar murder case, political leaders are levelling allegations against Meenakshi Shinde. Kayande challenged the Thackeray camp to prove them. Citing the allegations against Kishori Pednekar, she remarked that the Thackeray camp was a case of "chor machaye shor" (the thief raises the loudest cry).

According to Kayande, Sunday's Garjana Morcha did not have permission, yet the Thackeray cousins held it. She said they had insisted on protesting at Shivaji Park, but the police had advised them to hold the agitation at Azad Maidan.

Kayande also criticised the blaming of EVMs, the voter list and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. She alleged that, instead of introspecting on their defeat, the opponents held the Election Commission responsible. She also alleged that Uddhav Thackeray, Raj Thackeray and Abhijit Dipke are inciting young people. According to her, young people need jobs, education and their own progress.

Calling the issue of missing girls in the state serious, Kayande claimed that many women and girls have been found through the "Muskan" campaign. She also demanded a thorough investigation into the case of 22 missing girls and urged the Home Department to act on it immediately.