A united show of Opposition strength was witnessed in south Mumbai, where a protest titled Satyacha Morcha was organized to seek postponement of civic elections until the state’s electoral rolls were cleaned and verified. The march was conducted from Fashion Street and Metro Cinema to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation headquarters, and a large turnout from multiple parties was reported. Participation was recorded from Shiv Sena (UBT), Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, NCP (Sharad Pawar faction), Congress, the Peasants and Workers Party, and the Left parties CPI and CPM.
The purpose of the demonstration was described as the protection of the citizen’s right to vote, with the event being portrayed as a defense of constitutional values. A collective position was articulated that electoral rolls must be rectified before any civic polling process is advanced. Calls for deferral were issued on the grounds that duplicate names, fake entries, and wrongful deletions had been observed in the lists. It was stated by leaders that “clean and transparent” rolls were a prerequisite for any credible election.
Strong allegations were voiced. It was claimed by Raj Thackeray that “lakhs of duplicate and bogus voters” had been identified through a verification effort, with examples being cited across 11 Lok Sabha seats. A specific assertion was made that approximately 4,500 voters from Kalyan had also been recorded as voting in Malabar Hill. To support these claims, printed bundles of voter rolls were displayed to the crowd and were described as “proof” of duplication. The issue was framed as deliberate manipulation rather than clerical error.
Further concerns were raised about personal targeting through digital platforms. It was alleged by Uddhav Thackeray that his name had been accessed on the ECI’s Saksham app using a “fake mobile number,” and that such activity suggested an attempt at deletion from the rolls. The matter was declared to be headed to court, with “documentary evidence” stated to be in hand. Confidence was expressed in judicial recourse, and it was conveyed that, failing institutional redress, accountability would be sought through public opinion.
The march was positioned by Sharad Pawar as a constitutional safeguard and by Balasaheb Thorat as a response to inaction, with a claim of about 9,000 bogus entries being made for Thorat’s own constituency. The political climate was described as one where misuse of power was being alleged against ruling governments, and where cross-party coordination had been prioritized to defend democratic norms.
Political alignment was also updated during the event. It was announced by Uddhav Thackeray that a formal alliance with the MNS had been established, and that the protection of voters’ rights, the Marathi Manoos, and Maharashtra’s democratic fabric would be treated as a shared responsibility. It was insisted by the coalition that polls be delayed until the rolls are cleaned, with the argument being advanced that the sanctity of democracy must be valued above administrative deadlines.
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