Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai
Mumbai, Oct 4: Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on Sunday led a joint protest march in Mumbai against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, alleging irregularities in the electoral process and demanding his resignation.
The march, dubbed the 'Virat Garjana Morcha', began from Metro Cinema in south Mumbai and proceeded towards the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation headquarters. Leaders of the Congress and Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP) also participated in the protest.
The protesters alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and demanded the removal or resignation of Gyanesh Kumar. Taking a jibe at the CEC, Raj Thackeray said, "Gyanesh Kaka, don't loot the vote."
Party flags were not allowed during the march, with participants asked to carry only the national tricolour.
Ahead of the protest, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut said the march was a collective response to what he alleged were attempts to undermine democratic institutions, electoral processes and citizens' constitutional rights.
Raut said the march was being held to protest alleged irregularities in the Election Commission's functioning, denial of voting rights and to demand Kumar's resignation. He said the Congress, NCP, Left parties and Peasants and Workers Party had also been invited.
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Arvind Sawant said the joint appearance of Uddhav and Raj Thackeray had given momentum to the protest, which he described as a movement to protect the Constitution and democracy.
Another Shiv Sena (UBT) leader, Anil Parab, said the protest was not restricted to political parties and would also include citizens concerned about their right to vote.
The march came two days after the Cockroach Janta Party held a 'Jail Bharo Andolan' against Gyanesh Kumar at Mumbai's Shivaji Park.
Raut also raised allegations of the mistreatment of a woman journalist during protests at Jantar Mantar in Delhi and questioned Union Home Minister Amit Shah over the issue.
The Thackeray cousins had announced the October 4 march last month, seeking participation from opposition parties in Maharashtra. The protest is part of a wider campaign by opposition parties against the Election Commission over the SIR exercise and other electoral issues.