Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray on Wednesday urged INDIA bloc leaders to hold joint protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, amid Opposition criticism over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Participating virtually in the meeting held in New Delhi, Thackeray argued that Opposition parties should coordinate their protests rather than hold separate demonstrations. He also demanded that Kumar resign or be removed from office.

Thackeray told the meeting that, according to a Shiv Sena (UBT) functionary, the political mood in the country was against the BJP government. He said parties were already protesting against the Election Commission separately and urged them to bring those efforts together. His remarks came as Opposition parties intensified their campaign over the SIR exercise and raised allegations concerning the electoral process, while the Election Commission has maintained that its actions are in accordance with law and its instructions.

The Shiv Sena (UBT) leader also proposed re-election in states where polling had taken place in recent years, particularly West Bengal and Maharashtra, and called for such voting to be conducted through ballot papers. The INDIA bloc subsequently announced a coordinated programme of protests over the SIR issue. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said Opposition parties had agreed to pursue joint action, including a march by Opposition MPs to the Election Commission's office in Delhi on October 6.

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The alliance's wider programme includes 'Save Democracy' marches between October 2 and 8, along with demonstrations at district-level offices. Kharge said leaders of the Opposition would also seek an appointment with President Droupadi Murmu in the second week of October to submit a representation on their concerns. The INDIA bloc has also raised the issue of using paper ballots instead of electronic voting machines, with Kharge saying participating leaders supported the demand.

In Maharashtra, Thackeray's Shiv Sena (UBT) and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray are scheduled to hold a joint protest in Mumbai on October 4 over the SIR issue. The two parties have also invited other Opposition parties to participate. The Congress and other INDIA bloc constituents have separately announced protests and other forms of mobilisation as the dispute over the electoral-roll revision continues.

The INDIA bloc meeting at the Constitution Club in New Delhi lasted around three-and-a-half hours and brought together leaders from multiple Opposition parties. Discussions focused on the SIR exercise, the Election Commission and a coordinated political response. The meeting culminated in a joint action plan, with the October 6 march to the poll panel forming one of the key scheduled programmes.

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