An internal rift has surfaced within the Uddhav Thackeray faction as party spokesperson Anand Dubey prepares to sever ties with the organisation over its street agitation against the Election Commission. Dubey strongly dissents from the confrontational posture, viewing the protests as an attempt to undermine constitutional bodies. Consequently, he has decided to step down from both his spokesperson role and primary membership, with a formal announcement expected during an afternoon press conference in Mumbai.
Discontent Over Institutional Attacks and Looming Resignation
The friction stems from Anand Dubey's position that dragging independent democratic institutions into street battles harms their constitutional standing. Refusing to endorse the party line on this issue, Dubey has scheduled a media briefing at 2 PM in Mumbai to announce his departure from the spokesperson post and party ranks. His anticipated resignation represents a significant setback for the party's communication machinery, where he has long served as a prominent voice in political debates.
Police Clampdown and High-Voltage Protests in Mumbai
The political storm erupted following intense confrontations in Mumbai's Shivaji Park area, where the Cockroach Janata Party staged an agitation directed at Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Extending their active backing, Shiv Sena UBT leader Aaditya Thackeray alongside Amit Thackeray of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena arrived at the spot with hundreds of cadre. Amid a massive deployment of security personnel, demonstrations and sit-ins broke out across multiple spots, prompting the police to detain several individuals, including activist Anjali Damania.
Allegations Outside Sena Bhawan and Threat of Intensified Protest
Aaditya Thackeray launched a sharp attack against law enforcement, alleging manhandling of party cadre outside Sena Bhawan. He stated that even female workers faced aggression during the scuffle, claiming an activist's clothing was torn. Warning that the agitation would only intensify until Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar resigns, Aaditya urged citizens across Mumbai to assemble at Shivaji Park to sustain the push against the poll body.
National Capital Echoes the Stand-off Outside Supreme Court
The dispute has resonated strongly in New Delhi, where Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi announced a solidarity march toward the Supreme Court alongside leaders of the INDIA bloc. The opposition alliance sought an appointment with Chief Justice of India Justice Surya Kant. Addressing the media ahead of the demonstration, CJI Surya Kant clarified that he had received the meeting request but had already conveyed his inability to meet through a written reply outlining his reasons.
