Uddhav, Raj Thackeray share stage at Mumbai rally against Election Commission, Centre

A "Garjana Morcha" was held in Mumbai today against the functioning of the Chief Election Commissioner and to protect democracy and the Constitution. Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray came together on the occasion. Both leaders strongly criticised the working of the Union government and the Election Commission of India. The government was targeted over the voter list, the appointment of election commissioners and the right to vote.

Addressing the rally, Uddhav Thackeray said this fight did not belong to any one party or individual. "This fight is the fight for our freedom," he said. Recalling that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had raised the slogan of "Make in India" after coming to power, he criticised the government. He said that if a dictatorship was taking shape in the country, they were standing up to fight it.

Drawing on the voter figures presented by Raj Thackeray, Uddhav Thackeray raised questions about the election process. According to his claim, about 2 crore voters in Maharashtra and about 13 crore voters across the country have been dropped from the voter list. He also questioned the handling of voters' names in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu, claiming that about 70 lakh voters in Tamil Nadu and 30 lakh in Bengal had been removed. He also referred to the court proceedings on the issue. These figures were presented by the leaders at the rally and have not been independently verified by any official authority.

Uddhav Thackeray also questioned the appointment of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. He said his objection was to the very manner in which election commissioners were appointed. He claimed that the selection committee earlier comprised the Chief Justice of India, the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition, but that a Union minister had been put in place of the Chief Justice. He said Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi had recorded his disagreement with the process. Against this background, Uddhav Thackeray alleged that Gyanesh Kumar's appointment was partisan.

He also criticised the functioning of the BJP government at the Centre. According to him, government agencies are being used to target opponents. Saying "The Bharatiya Janata Party does not know how to run a government," he claimed that the administration and the BJP were at odds with each other. He described the government's conduct as "taking revenge".

Citing the murder of Pradeep alias Balu Purnekar in Thane, Uddhav Thackeray raised questions about law and order in the state. Questioning the role of the police, he also criticised the Home Minister. Referring to incidents of atrocities against women across the country, he questioned the government's stand on Hindutva. He also alleged that an attempt was being made to take away the right to vote.

Criticising the Election Commission and government agencies, Uddhav Thackeray spoke of the strength of the people. He said that even if institutions and the administration were under the government's control, the roads belonged to the people. Warning the government, he said, "It will be difficult for you to walk on these roads tomorrow."

With Raj Thackeray and Uddhav Thackeray coming together, the "Garjana Morcha" has taken on special significance in Maharashtra politics. The Thackeray cousins have taken an aggressive stand against the government on the election process, the voter list and the autonomy of democratic institutions.