MNS and Shiv Sena (UBT) to Hold Joint Protest on October 4 Against ECI

MUMBAI — The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) and Shiv Sena (UBT) announced on Wednesday that they will hold a joint protest on October 4 against the Election Commission of India (ECI). The demonstration is in response to allegations of electoral malpractice and partisan bias leveled by MNS chief Raj Thackeray, who accused the ECI of acting as a "wing of the BJP."

Thackeray specifically targeted ECI chief Gyanesh Kumar, stating, "He was heading ECI as part of BJP and under the name of SIR has done fraud with citizens of India." The SIR, or Special Intensive Revision, is a process the ECI has used to update electoral rolls, which opposition parties claim disproportionately affects certain communities. The joint protest marks a rare collaboration between the MNS and Shiv Sena (UBT), two parties with historical rivalries.

The protest is set to take place in Mumbai, though the exact venue has not been disclosed. It signals growing opposition unity against the ECI ahead of upcoming elections. The ECI has not yet responded to the allegations. Political analysts suggest this could intensify scrutiny of the ECI's actions and potentially reshape opposition strategies in Maharashtra and beyond.