Thackeray Cousins Lead Mumbai Protest Against Election Commissioner
Uddhav and Raj Thackeray led a joint protest march in Mumbai demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged electoral irregularities.
Opposition leaders Uddhav Thackeray of the Shiv Sena (UBT) and Raj Thackeray of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) led a joint protest march in Mumbai on Sunday, October 4, 2026. The demonstration, termed the 'Garjana Morcha' or 'Virat Garjana Morcha', began at Metro Cinema and concluded at the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation headquarters.
The protesters demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, alleging irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. Opposition parties claim these revisions were designed to benefit the ruling Mahayuti alliance and called for greater transparency in the voter list process.
The march received broad support from the Maha Vikas Aghadi coalition, including the Congress and the Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP), as well as Left parties and the Peasants and Workers Party. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut characterized the event as a revolt against the Election Commission of India, accusing the body of facilitating the hijacking of elections and weakening democratic institutions. Leaders described the movement as a fight to protect the Constitution against what they termed a dictatorship.
