Maharashtra parties stage protest march against Election Commission

Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray and the Shiv Sena (UBT) led a march through Mumbai on Tuesday to protest what they described as systematic failures by the Election Commission. The parties accused the poll body of overlooking sudden spikes in voter registrations and alleged instances of vote theft during the electoral process.

Thackeray claimed he had previously raised these concerns with Congress president Sonia Gandhi, urging opposition parties to consider boycotting elections if the issues remained unaddressed. The march, dubbed the "Garjana March" or "Roar March," was intended to amplify their grievances and draw public attention to alleged electoral malpractices.

The protest reflects growing concerns among opposition parties in Maharashtra over the conduct of elections in the state. The demonstrations underscore tensions between regional political outfits and the Election Commission regarding electoral fairness and voter registration protocols.

The Election Commission has not yet responded to the allegations. The march adds to the ongoing political discourse in Maharashtra, where state politics has been marked by frequent disputes over electoral processes and coalition dynamics in recent years.