The Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) has described the opposition-led ‘Chalo Delhi’ rally at Ramlila Maidan in New Delhi as the beginning of a wider movement for democratic restoration, accusing the ruling establishment of undermining electoral institutions.
In an editorial published in the party’s mouthpiece, Saamana, the Uddhav Thackeray-led faction said the rally, organised to protest alleged electoral malpractices and discrepancies in voter lists, reflected growing public discontent with the Narendra Modi-led government.
The gathering brought together leaders from several INDIA bloc parties, with the opposition alleging voter-list manipulation and irregularities in the electoral process.
‘Vote theft’ becomes opposition’s central demand
The editorial alleged that concerns over voter-list discrepancies had gained prominence following disclosures by serving election commissioners. It also criticised Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, accusing him of favouring the central government.
“Vote-theft has now become a national slogan; it is the declaration of the people. Scams in the voter lists, the deletion of crores of voters’ names, and working to assist Modi and Shah under the guise of SIR do not constitute anarchy. On the contrary, this is a people’s rebellion against the terrible situation created by Modi, Shah, and Gyanesh Kumar,” the editorial said.
The party also accused the chief election commissioner of acting as a “protective shield” for the central government, alleging that institutional bias was preventing accountability.
Rally turnout and security arrangements highlighted
The editorial said the rally drew a large gathering despite heavy police deployment and barricading in the national capital. It claimed that congestion was reported on major roads as demonstrators arrived at Ramlila Maidan.
The party also criticised attempts by BJP leaders to downplay the turnout, arguing that the gathering reflected significant public anger over electoral issues.
However, the editorial’s claims about the size of the crowd and the political impact of the rally were not independently established in the supplied report.
Party draws comparison with JP movement
The Thackeray faction compared the rally’s political significance with the pro-democracy and anti-corruption movement led by Jayaprakash Narayan in the 1970s.
It said the gathering at Ramlila Maidan recalled the historic mobilisation associated with the Emergency period, when opposition leaders challenged the central government.
The editorial also referred to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s remarks on the 2024 general elections, in which he alleged that the Modi-led government had lost its moral mandate and remained in power with administrative and institutional support.
BJP leaders defend SIR, reject opposition allegations
The editorial said Union Home Minister Amit Shah had criticised the ‘Chalo Delhi’ mobilisation, describing it as an attempt to promote political anarchy. Shah also defended the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, arguing that the opposition was seeking to protect illegal foreign infiltrators.
It further cited Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s criticism of opposition leaders, who he accused of attempting to divide the country for short-term political gains.
The Shiv Sena (UBT) editorial rejected the government’s defence, questioning the suggestion that deleted voters across several states were foreign nationals.
Thackeray faction calls for democratic restoration
The editorial concluded that the rally had marked a turning point in the opposition’s campaign against alleged electoral irregularities.
The party said the gathering represented a growing demand for constitutional integrity and accountability from electoral institutions.
