Raj Thackeray demands scrapping of SIR amid election row
· India · The Hindu, Hindustan Times
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray on Friday, September 25, 2026, called for the scrapping of the Special Intensive Revision process, terming it a new weapon in the hands of the Bharatiya Janata Party. He alleged that the BJP leveraged individuals like Gyanesh Kumar to secure an endless grip on power. His demand follows similar calls from his cousin Uddhav Thackeray and several opposition parties. Opposition leaders have been raising anomalies in voters' lists, with protests seeking the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Meanwhile, Congress staged demonstrations across the country on Friday demanding Kumar's removal.
Why it matters
The scrapping of the SIR process and calls for ballot paper elections directly affect the integrity of India's electoral rolls and the credibility of the Election Commission ahead of future polls.
Read the original report — The Hindu
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