Mumbai: 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 and the functioning of the Election Commission. The march, called the Virat Garjana Morcha (Grand Roar March), began from Metro Cinema in south Mumbai and was headed towards the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) headquarters. The protest was organised over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The protesters demanded the removal or resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar and raised questions over the functioning of the Election Commission. During the march, Raj Thackeray took a dig at the CEC, saying, “Gyanesh kaka, dale vote pa daka” (Gyanesh Kumar steal votes). Leaders of the Congress and the Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP) also joined the protest, sharing the stage with the two Thackeray leaders. Only Tricolour At Thackeray-Led Morcha In a notable move, organisers did not allow party flags during the march. Participants and supporters were asked to carry only the national tricolour. The joint appearance of Uddhav and Raj Thackeray comes as both parties have been protesting against the Election Commission's functioning and raising allegations of irregularities in the electoral-roll revision process. The Mumbai protest was also held two days after the Cockroach Janta Party organised a 'Jail Bharo Andolan' against CEC Gyanesh Kumar at Mumbai's Shivaji Park.
