Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Oct 21: Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on Wednesday launched a sharp attack on the Central government, endorsing Shiv Sena-UBT MP Sanjay Raut’s prediction that major political developments could unfold in the next two to five months.

Thackeray reiterated his demand for the abolition of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and a return to traditional ballot paper voting, arguing that voters deserve transparency and the assurance that their votes have been cast and recorded correctly.

Speaking to reporters, he said he had been advocating ballot paper voting since 2018 and had even met election commissioners to discuss the issue. He added that while people had earlier failed to understand his concerns, awareness had since increased.

“Political criticism and counter-criticism are bound to happen. Since 2018, I have been continuously striving for voting to take place via ballot paper, and I even met with election commissioners to discuss this. Earlier, people didn't understand, but now they do. You must get satisfaction from the vote you cast. You need the reassurance that your vote has actually gone into the ballot box; winning and losing are separate matters. Voting takes place via ballot papers even in Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Nepal,” Thackeray said.

The MNS chief also cited developed countries, including France, where he claimed voting machines had been scrapped in favour of ballot papers.

“In France, voting machines were scrapped and they reverted to ballot papers. Looking at those photos brings back old memories. Assembly and Lok Sabha elections do not happen simultaneously. Vote counting is done rapidly, yet we get the results quite late. Even if it takes four days, what does it matter? Who is in a hurry? Voting must be conducted on ballot papers,” he said.

Backing Raut’s assessment, Thackeray predicted significant political developments in the coming months and warned that public unrest could emerge if the Union government continued making what he described as serious mistakes.

He suggested that the political situation could become so turbulent that the country might even face a period without a Prime Minister.

“Photographs alongside Epstein have surfaced, and many more things are going to come out—this won't stop. The Central government will continue to make mistakes, and this cycle won't stop. I won't be surprised if the country ends up on the streets in the coming years,” he said.

Thackeray also expressed concern over rising crime and security lapses, targeting gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, who is lodged in Gujarat’s Sabarmati jail.

Expressing confidence in the Mumbai and Maharashtra Police, he said criminals such as Bishnoi should be “pulled out of jail and beaten publicly” to restore deterrence, provided law enforcement agencies were given a free hand without political interference.

The MNS chief further accused the administration of undermining democratic norms, criticising what he described as censorship of documentaries concerning prominent figures and questioning the neutrality of autonomous institutions and the judiciary.

He said democracy functioned more freely in countries such as the United States, while freedom of expression was heavily restricted in India.

Commenting on the BJP’s political rise, Thackeray said the party’s sweeping victory in 2014 was driven by Prime Minister Narendra Modi rather than the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). He added that ultimate power rested with the citizens of India.

Referring to recent student protests, including those linked to the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET), Thackeray said the demonstrations reflected deeper public discontent.

“When the NEET protests took place, students came out, and they didn't come out for NEET alone. Some underlying anger is brewing in people's minds, and they came out to express it. A drought has been declared in the state, and foodgrain shortages along with other situations are beyond this government's capacity to handle. A period may soon arrive where the country won't even have a Prime Minister,” he said.

Defending the protesting students, Thackeray questioned the use of force against them.

“Where did anarchy come into the protests? You cane-charged children who were protesting peacefully; those kids hadn't done anything. Has the BJP forgotten its old days? Put up their photographs next time,” he said.

Thackeray warned that public anger, reflected in recent student agitations, pointed to deeper systemic frustrations that the ruling administration would struggle to contain