Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai

Mumbai, Oct 15: Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Thursday visited Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray at his residence, Shivteerth, amid growing opposition protests demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar over the controversy surrounding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

The meeting comes as opposition parties have intensified their campaign against the Election Commission of India (ECI), alleging irregularities in the voter-list revision process and questioning decision-making within the poll body. The INDIA bloc has demanded action against Gyanesh Kumar, with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and other opposition leaders raising the issue through protests and legal proceedings.

The controversy gained momentum after reports emerged that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had raised objections to decisions taken in connection with the SIR exercise. The reported differences within the poll body have prompted questions about its functioning, while petitions have been filed challenging aspects of the revision process.

In Delhi, opposition parties have held protests demanding Gyanesh Kumar's resignation and raising concerns about the alleged deletion of voters' names. Rahul Gandhi and other INDIA bloc leaders have participated in the agitation, seeking judicial scrutiny of the electoral-roll revision process. The protests have also involved the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which has organised demonstrations demanding the CEC's resignation.

The agitation has drawn attention to restrictions imposed on demonstrators and disruptions to transport services in the national capital. Opposition parties have continued to press for accountability over the handling of the SIR exercise.

In Maharashtra, the opposition has also mobilised against Gyanesh Kumar. The Shiv Sena (UBT) and the MNS recently came together for a joint march, reflecting their cooperation on the issue. The MNS has also launched a signature campaign demanding the CEC's resignation, with Raj Thackeray taking up the issue in Maharashtra.

Although Raj Thackeray has not formally joined the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), his party's position on the issue has brought it closer to the opposition's campaign. Raut, who participated in the protests in Delhi, visited Shivteerth to meet Raj Thackeray amid the continuing political developments. He is expected to brief the MNS chief on the developments in the national capital, although details of their discussions have not been officially disclosed.

The controversy has also reached the Supreme Court, where petitions challenging the SIR process and alleged irregularities in electoral rolls are being considered. The proceedings are being closely watched as opposition parties continue to demand action against the CEC.

The meeting between Raut and Raj Thackeray comes amid efforts by opposition leaders to coordinate their response to the controversy, with the demand for Gyanesh Kumar's resignation remaining central to their campaign.