Mumbai, October 2026 : Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Thursday met Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray at his residence, Shivteerth, amid intensifying 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 step up their campaign against the Election Commission of India (ECI), alleging irregularities in the voter-list revision exercise and raising questions about the poll body's functioning. The INDIA bloc has demanded accountability from the CEC, with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and other opposition leaders participating in protests and pursuing legal avenues.
The controversy has intensified following reports that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi raised objections to decisions related to the SIR exercise. The reported differences within the Election Commission have triggered further questions about the decision-making process, while petitions challenging aspects of the revision exercise have been filed in court.
Opposition Protests Intensify in Delhi
In the national capital, opposition parties have organised demonstrations demanding Gyanesh Kumar's resignation and expressing concern over the alleged deletion of voters' names from electoral rolls.
Rahul Gandhi and other INDIA bloc leaders have participated in the agitation, calling for scrutiny of the voter-list revision process and greater transparency in the functioning of the Election Commission.
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has also organised demonstrations demanding the CEC's resignation. The protests have drawn attention to restrictions imposed on demonstrators and disruptions to transport services in Delhi, as opposition parties continue to seek accountability over the handling of the SIR exercise.
The issue has also reached the Supreme Court, where petitions challenging the revision process and alleging irregularities in electoral rolls are under consideration. The proceedings are being closely watched amid continuing political demands for action against the CEC.
Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS Coordinate in Maharashtra
In Maharashtra, the opposition campaign has brought Shiv Sena (UBT) and the MNS together on the issue. The two parties recently participated in a joint march against Gyanesh Kumar, signalling cooperation in their efforts to challenge the handling of the electoral-roll revision exercise.
The MNS has also launched a signature campaign demanding the CEC's resignation, with Raj Thackeray taking an active position on the issue.
Although Raj Thackeray's party has not formally joined the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), its stand on the controversy has brought it closer to the opposition's campaign.
Raut, who participated in protests in Delhi, visited Shivteerth amid these political developments. He is expected to brief Raj Thackeray on the developments in the national capital. However, neither leader has officially disclosed details of their discussions.
Focus on Accountability and Electoral Transparency
The meeting comes at a time when opposition leaders are seeking to coordinate their response to the SIR controversy across states. Their demands centre on alleged voter deletions, transparency in the revision process and accountability within the Election Commission.
The developments have added a fresh dimension to political coordination in Maharashtra, with the Shiv Sena (UBT) and the MNS pursuing a common cause despite their separate political positions.
The demand for Gyanesh Kumar's resignation remains central to the opposition campaign, even as legal proceedings over the electoral-roll revision exercise continue.
