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Thackeray Cousins Plan October 4 March Against ECI, SIR
Raj Thackeray and Uddhav Thackeray are planning a protest march in Mumbai.
It will take place on October 4.
They say the march is about how India’s Election Commission is working.
They are also objecting to a review of voter lists called the Special Intensive Revision.
The organisers say people should carry only the Indian National Flag, not party flags.
They want the march to be a citizen-led movement rather than a party event.
People will gather in Byculla and walk toward central Mumbai.
The reports give slightly different times and descriptions of where the march will finish.
The leaders also said political parties, including some from the ruling side, may join if they share these concerns.
Raj Thackeray and Uddhav Thackeray announced a joint Mumbai march for October 4.
The protest will challenge the Election Commission of India and the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
Organisers say the march will be non-partisan, with participants carrying only the Indian National Flag.
The march is planned from Byculla toward the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus area and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation headquarters.
The reports differ on the precise timetable and endpoint, while ruling-party leaders opposing the poll panel may be invited.
- Who
- Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray and Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray, with invited opposition and other concerned political leaders.
- What
- A joint protest march against the Election Commission of India and the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
- Where
- Byculla in Mumbai, proceeding toward the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus area and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation headquarters.
- When
- October 4; the reports give differing assembly and march times, ranging from a 10:00 a.m. gathering to an 11:30 a.m. start.
- Why
- The organisers say they are protesting alleged electoral irregularities, voter-list concerns, and what they describe as threats to electoral integrity.
Protest Organisers
Ruling-Party Response
Election Commission’s independence
Protest Organisers
Raj Thackeray and Uddhav Thackeray accuse the Election Commission of India of undermining electoral integrity and acting in the interests of the ruling establishment.
Ruling-Party Response
The Bharatiya Janata Party said the Opposition was creating fabricated stories about Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to blame the poll panel for political failures.
Special Intensive Revision
Protest Organisers
The Thackeray-led protest will challenge the Special Intensive Revision, which the organisers associate with voter deception, irregularities, and possible electoral malpractice.
Ruling-Party Response
The reports do not provide a detailed response from the Election Commission of India to these specific allegations.
Political character of the march
Protest Organisers
The organisers describe the demonstration as a non-partisan citizens’ movement and will prohibit Maharashtra Navnirman Sena and Shiv Sena (UBT) flags or banners.
Ruling-Party Response
The organisers say ruling-party leaders who oppose the poll panel’s functioning may also join, while the Bharatiya Janata Party has criticised the Opposition’s claims.
Key facts
- Protest date
- October 4
- Starting area
- Byculla, Mumbai
- Main targets
- Election Commission of India and the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls
- Flag policy
- Only the Indian National Flag; no party flags or banners
- Proposed route
- Byculla toward Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation headquarters
- Public meeting
- A stage is planned near the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation headquarters
- Related consultation
- The announcement followed a meeting with Maharashtra Chief Electoral Officer S. Chockalingam about alleged Special Intensive Revision irregularities
Quotes
Raj Thackeray
Chief of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena
“If our protest is directed strictly at the Election Commission, why is the BJP feeling the heat? As the Marathi saying goes, 'Khai tyala khavkhave (guilty conscience needs no accuser)',”
thehansindia.com
“The protest march will start from Byculla, and we will walk to BMC headquarters.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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