Shiv Sena (UBT) Attacks Centre Over CEC Row, Alleges Crackdown on Opposition Protests

October 10, 2026

Mumbai: Shiv Sena (UBT) has accused the Centre of weakening Indian democracy amid the political controversy surrounding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and Opposition demands for his resignation.

In an editorial published in the party mouthpiece Saamana on Saturday, the Uddhav Thackeray-led faction alleged that the government was protecting the Chief Election Commissioner instead of addressing allegations of electoral irregularities raised by the Opposition.

The editorial also criticised the handling of recent protests in Delhi, alleging that Opposition leaders faced police action while demonstrations by BJP Mahila Morcha activists outside the Congress headquarters were treated differently.

Shiv Sena (UBT) Questions Centre’s Response to CEC Row

The editorial said Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s campaign against Gyanesh Kumar had unsettled the ruling BJP. It accused the government of avoiding questions about alleged electoral manipulation and described its alleged support for the election chief as a betrayal of public trust.

The party also alleged that Opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, were manhandled and taken away in police vehicles during protests at Jantar Mantar. These claims were presented by the editorial as evidence of unequal treatment of political demonstrations.

Editorial Raises Concerns Over Protest Restrictions

The Shiv Sena (UBT) editorial claimed that the government planned to deploy around two lakh armed Bajrang Dal members at Jantar Mantar to suppress the youth-led CJP movement. The claim was made in the editorial and was not independently established in the supplied report.

It also criticised the denial of protest permissions, reported cancellations of trains heading towards Delhi and the detention of young demonstrators travelling to join the protest. The editorial warned that using force or private groups to suppress lawful dissent could lead to unrest.

Party Alleges Erosion of Democratic Institutions

Referring to democratic principles associated with former US President Abraham Lincoln, the editorial questioned whether free elections, transparent administration and accountable governance were being upheld.

The Uddhav Thackeray-led faction alleged that constitutional institutions were facing pressure and accused the ruling establishment of using intimidation rather than political accountability to deal with dissent.

The remarks came amid continuing Opposition protests against the Election Commission and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, with Opposition parties alleging irregularities and demanding Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.