Archive · 23 Sep 2026
Uddhav demands Gyanesh Kumar’s jailing, state repolls using ballot papers
Uddhav Thackeray criticized Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
He said Kumar should lose his job and be jailed.
Thackeray also asked for new elections in Maharashtra, West Bengal and Tamil Nadu.
He wants those elections to use paper ballots.
He said the previous elections in those states should be cancelled.
Thackeray thanked Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi for objecting to some Election Commission actions.
A media report said they objected 14 times in 10 months.
Thackeray said opposition parties should work together to protect democracy.
Uddhav Thackeray demanded that Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar be immediately sacked and jailed.
Thackeray called for the Maharashtra, West Bengal and Tamil Nadu elections to be nullified.
He demanded fresh elections in those states using ballot papers.
Thackeray thanked Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi for raising objections to the poll body’s steps.
He urged opposition parties to unite and said courts should take cognisance of the issue.
- Who
- Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, and Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi.
- What
- Thackeray demanded Kumar’s dismissal and imprisonment, cancellation of recent state elections, and repolls using ballot papers.
- When
- The statement was reported on Wednesday, September 23; the year is not specified.
- Where
- The news conference was held in Mumbai, with the proposed repolls covering Maharashtra, West Bengal and Tamil Nadu.
- Why
- Thackeray cited reports of disagreements within the Election Commission and said the issue required court attention and opposition unity to protect democracy.
- Speaker
- Uddhav Thackeray, chief of Shiv Sena (UBT)
- Main demand
- Immediate dismissal and imprisonment of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar
- Repoll demand
- Nullify the last elections in Maharashtra, West Bengal and Tamil Nadu and hold fresh polls
- Voting method requested
- Ballot papers
- Officials praised
- Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi
- Reported objections
- Sandhu and Joshi reportedly objected to Election Commission steps 14 times in 10 months
- Additional appeal
- Thackeray urged opposition parties to unite and courts to take cognisance