Thackeray cousins lead Mumbai march demanding removal of CEC Gyanesh Kumar, scrapping of SIR

A 'Garjana Morcha' against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar was taken out in Mumbai on Sunday under the leadership of the Thackeray cousins. The march resolved that the dictator's first defeat will come from Maharashtra. Raising their voice against the Election Commission, participants demanded in one voice that Gyanesh Kumar be removed, the entire SIR process be cancelled and future elections be held on ballot paper.

The march went from Metro Cinema to the Mumbai municipal corporation headquarters. Leaders and workers of various Opposition parties, including the Maha Vikas Aghadi, joined in large numbers. Party flags were not permitted at the Thackeray cousins' protest. Workers and supporters had been asked to carry only the national flag, the Tricolour. The protest came two days after a 'Jail Bharo Andolan' against the Chief Election Commissioner at Shivaji Park.

Uddhav Thackeray questioned the process by which election commissioners are chosen. He asked why there is an election for the post of President but not for the election commissioner. He said India does not belong to Gyanesh Kumar's father, and also targeted the Centre. Thackeray said this fight is not about any caste or religion but about saving freedom and democracy.

Uddhav Thackeray alleged that the names of crores of voters have been deleted from electoral rolls across the country. He also objected to changes in the structure of the Election Commission. He alleged that the Chief Justice of India was removed from the selection committee and Union Home Minister Amit Shah was included, after which Gyanesh Kumar was appointed. He warned that if a dictator is emerging through Make in India, they will not rest without burying him.

MNS president Raj Thackeray put forward two major demands from the march. He said the entire SIR process carried out so far in Maharashtra should be cancelled and future elections held on ballot paper. Calling SIR illegal, he also cited the role of former Union Home Secretary R.K. Singh. Raj Thackeray claimed that before the Assembly elections the number of voters in the state rose by 40 to 60 lakh, and that about two crore voters have now been removed through SIR. He asked who these two crore people were and whether they were his voters. He said he has been speaking about irregularities in the election process and voter lists since 2017-18. He also questioned the surge in votes for the BJP. Raj Thackeray said voting machines must be shut down at any cost.

Senior Congress leader Balasaheb Thorat alleged that votes are being stolen in the country. According to him, after the Chief Justice of India was kept out of the Election Commission's appointment process, the ruling establishment's control over the Commission has increased. He appealed for saving democracy and demanded Gyanesh Kumar's resignation along with an inquiry into the election process.

Thackeray faction MLA Bhaskar Jadhav targeted the BJP, alleging that it is involved in theft. He said the ruling side is benefiting from the Election Commission's alleged irregularities, which is why the BJP is standing up for the Commission. He said partners of a thief will naturally stand together.

Anil Deshmukh of the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) alleged large-scale irregularities in the voter lists. He raised the slogan, "Jo dale vote pe daka, uska naam Gyanu Kaka", and targeted Gyanesh Kumar. Deshmukh demanded that Gyanesh Kumar resign, that an FIR be registered against him with action taken, and that future elections be held on ballot paper.