Raj and Uddhav Thackeray Announce Protest March Against EC on October 4, Invite Opposition Parties to Join

Raj and Uddhav Thackeray Announce Joint October 4 March

Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray and Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray have announced a joint protest march in Mumbai on October 4 against the Election Commission of India.

The announcement was made at a joint press conference on September 29. The protest will focus on concerns raised by the two parties over the functioning of the Election Commission and the ongoing SIR of electoral rolls in Maharashtra.

March to Begin From Byculla

The October 4 march will begin from Byculla at 11:30 am and proceed towards the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) headquarters before culminating near Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, according to the latest announcement.

Raj Thackeray said the protest would not be restricted to the two parties and invited other political parties to participate.

No Political Party Flags, Only Tricolour

Raj Thackeray said that participants would carry only the Tricolour during the march and that political party flags would not be used.

He described the demonstration as a broader public protest rather than an event limited to the MNS and Shiv Sena (UBT). He also said that even parties in the ruling alliance would be welcome to participate.

Protest Focuses on Election Commission and SIR

The protest comes amid an ongoing political dispute over the Election Commission's functioning and the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.

Raj Thackeray has previously raised questions about Electronic Voting Machines and the Election Commission. He has also alleged that the SIR process has resulted in voters being adversely affected. These are political allegations and have not been established as findings against the Election Commission.

Thackerays Invite Other Parties to Join

The Thackeray cousins have appealed to political parties across Maharashtra to participate in the October 4 march.

Raj Thackeray said the objective was to make the demonstration a collective expression involving political parties and the public rather than an event associated only with the MNS and Shiv Sena (UBT).

NCP-SP Signals Support

The Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) has indicated that its members would participate in the October 4 protest.

Maharashtra NCP-SP president Shashikant Shinde said the party would join the demonstration after coordination with the organisers and described its position on the issue as similar to that of the Thackerays.

Wider Opposition Protests Over SIR

The Mumbai march is part of a wider series of opposition protests concerning the Election Commission and SIR.

Other political groups have separately announced demonstrations in Mumbai and Delhi, while Congress in Maharashtra has also announced protests concerning the Election Commission. The protests have followed continuing political disagreements over electoral-roll revision and the role of the Election Commission.

Election Commission Defends Its Process

The Election Commission has rejected suggestions that internal observations or differences among election commissioners indicate an institutional breakdown.

The poll panel has maintained that its decisions, including those concerning SIR, have legal sanction and follow statutory procedures. It has also said that decisions relating to the SIR were taken unanimously.

October 4 March Comes Amid Maharashtra SIR Debate

The Thackerays' announcement comes as the SIR process remains a major political issue in Maharashtra.

Opposition parties have raised concerns about electoral-roll changes and the possible exclusion of eligible voters, while the Election Commission has defended the process and its legal framework. The October 4 march is expected to bring these concerns into a public demonstration in Mumbai.

Key Takeaways

• Raj Thackeray and Uddhav Thackeray have announced a joint protest march in Mumbai on October 4, 2026.

• The march will focus on the Election Commission and the ongoing SIR of electoral rolls.

• The protest will begin at Byculla and proceed towards the BMC headquarters.

• Organisers have said that only the Tricolour will be carried during the march.

• Raj Thackeray has invited political parties, including those in the ruling alliance, to participate.

• NCP-SP Maharashtra president Shashikant Shinde has indicated that his party will join the protest.

• The Election Commission has defended the SIR process and said its decisions follow statutory procedures.