Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and Yuva Sena chief Aaditya Thackeray is expected to make a major revelation on Monday at the party’s Nirdhar Melava (Determination Rally) in Mumbai. According to party insiders cited by News18, Thackeray will present evidence alleging large-scale irregularities in the city’s voter list, a move that could stir significant political debate ahead of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections.
The rally, scheduled for 5 pm at the Worli Dome, will also be attended by Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray, senior city leaders, and local functionaries. Party insiders say the gathering will set the tone for the upcoming municipal polls, with a focus on ensuring 'fair and transparent' elections.
What Thackeray plans to reveal
Sources within the party told News18 that Aaditya Thackeray has independently verified sections of Mumbai’s electoral rolls and discovered 'serious discrepancies.' His presentation will reportedly outline how these irregularities occurred, who may have benefited, and how they could distort the upcoming civic elections.
The findings, according to insiders, are backed by data and independent verification. Thackeray’s team examined voter records across multiple wards and found mismatches suggesting the addition of external or duplicate voters.
“The aim is to ensure that no manipulation takes place during the BMC elections through bogus voting,” said a senior Sena (UBT) functionary, adding that Thackeray will warn against any attempt to influence poll outcomes.
Parallels with Bihar’s voter list clean-up
Drawing comparisons, Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders have cited Bihar’s voter roll verification exercise, where the number of registered voters reportedly dropped from 7.9 crore to 7.24 crore after weeding out nearly 48 lakh bogus entries.
Party sources say a similar verification process in Mumbai revealed a 'massive mess' in the city’s electoral rolls. The Sena plans to use the data to press for corrective action from the Election Commission of India.
Despite repeated complaints by opposition parties, including the Shiv Sena (UBT), the alleged voter list discrepancies in Maharashtra have remained unaddressed, according to the party.
Why it matters before BMC polls
The timing of Aaditya Thackeray’s announcement is politically significant. The BMC, Asia’s richest civic body, has been without an elected body since March 2022, when its term expired. With elections expected later this year, control of the BMC remains a crucial political contest between the Uddhav Thackeray-led faction and the Eknath Shinde-led government.
By spotlighting alleged voter list irregularities, the Shiv Sena (UBT) is positioning itself as a defender of electoral integrity, while also building a narrative of political victimhood in the face of what it claims is “systemic interference.”
Inside the Nirdhar Melava strategy
Party leaders describe the Nirdhar Melava as both a show of strength and a strategic reset. Uddhav Thackeray is expected to deliver a call to action for the party cadre, while Aaditya’s data-backed presentation is likely to serve as the rally’s focal point.
“The leadership wants to remind Mumbaikars that democracy begins with a clean voter list,” said a Sena insider. “The idea is to highlight how a manipulated list can distort representation at the city level.”
Discover the latest Business News, Sensex, and Nifty updates. Obtain Personal Finance insights, tax queries, and expert opinions on Moneycontrol or download the Moneycontrol App to stay updated!
