Maharashtra is witnessing a major political development as Raj Thackeray and Uddhav Thackeray prepare to jointly lead a protest march against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The demonstration, organized under the banner of the Virat Garjana Morcha, has secured full backing from the Maha Vikas Aghadi coalition. The coming together of the two estranged cousins on a shared platform after a long gap has significantly escalated the political temperature across the state.
Sharp Attacks on Electoral Integrity and Demands for Fresh Ballots
Shiv Sena (UBT) lawmaker Sanjay Raut took an aggressive stance while outlining the motivations behind the protest, drawing parallels to historic resistance. Describing the mobilization, he said,
“This is a revolt against all those things, just like what happened in 1857.”Raut alleged that democratic norms are being compromised, legislative loyalties are being engineered, and premier institutions are facing undue interference.
Building on recent remarks by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, who questioned the legitimacy of the electoral process, Raut insisted that recent parliamentary and state assembly polls should be annulled. He demanded fresh elections nationwide, asserting that the conduct of the polls was compromised by irregularities and fraudulent practices. Raut directly targeted both current CEC Gyanesh Kumar and former CEC Rajiv Kumar, claiming their handling of electoral duties was deeply questionable and describing them as adversaries of national interests. According to him, the demonstration in Mumbai reflects a wider awakening across the country to safeguard constitutional democracy.
MPSC Aspirants Intensify Sit-in Protest in Pune
Alongside the electoral battle, mounting discontent among youth preparing for the Maharashtra Public Service Commission has emerged as another focal point. Aspirants in Pune have been staging a round-the-clock sit-in protest for the past three to four days. The demonstrating students are demanding an immediate, impartial inquiry into paper leak allegations, strict oversight over testing procedures, and urgent recruitment drives to fill thousands of vacant government positions.
Addressing the issue on the social media platform X, Raut noted that Rohit Pawar had previously highlighted the plight of the candidates. He observed that despite repeated administrative assurances, student frustration continues to swell over prolonged career uncertainty. Raut condemned the authorities for issuing warning notices and attempting to fragment the student community rather than resolving their legitimate grievances. Demonstrating solidarity with the protesting youth, Raut scheduled a personal visit to the Pune demonstration site at 6:30 PM, framing the students' struggle as a fight for the state's future.
