02 October,2026 02:54 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) and Raj Thackeray-led MNS had earlier announced a march from Byculla to the BMC headquarters. File Pic
Shiv Sena (UBT) and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) have shortened the route of their joint protest against the Election Commission on October 4 following a request from the Mumbai Police, a party leader said on Friday.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Anil Parab said the parties had agreed to alter the route and decided on a revised march from Metro Cinema to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) headquarters, PTI reported.
The decision came after Mumbai Police Commissioner Deven Bharti highlighted potential bottlenecks and safety risks along the original route, which included the Byculla flyover.
Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) and Raj Thackeray-led MNS had earlier announced a march from Byculla to the BMC headquarters.
Addressing a news conference alongside MNS leader Bala Nandgaonkar, Parab said the original route involved crossing a flyover at Byculla, where dividers are around 3.5 to 4 feet high, PTI reported.
He said the parties agreed to change the route after the Mumbai Police commissioner raised concerns about the possibility of an untoward incident and limited space for people to move to safety.
Parab said the decision was taken after discussions with the respective party chiefs, adding that the parties had honoured the police commissioner's request.
The timing of the morcha will remain unchanged at 10 am on October 4.
The Thackeray cousins had announced the joint march against the Election Commission and appealed to supporters and the public to carry only the Tricolour instead of individual party flags.
Meanwhile, activists of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) and other civil society organisations staged a protest at Mumbai's Shivaji Park on Friday against the Election Commission and what they alleged were irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process, ANI reported.
The CJP had announced the protest demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Heavy police deployment was seen at Shivaji Park in view of the protest. The Mumbai Police had denied permission for the demonstration, citing restrictions governing the use of the ground and concerns related to traffic, noise and public gatherings.
CJP spokesperson Saurav Das, while addressing the gathering, alleged that CEC Gyanesh Kumar had acted against the interests of the country and called for his removal. He appealed to people across Mumbai to join the protest.
"As you can see, we are starting from Mumbai today. This is going to be a very big protest. Mumbai showed last time what the spirit of Mumbai is. The youth of the whole country, the young generation, everyone came out last time for the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan. And this time too, it is going to be the same with Gyanesh Kumar," Das said, ANI reported.
Meanwhile, some residents of the Shivaji Park area objected to the venue being used for the protest, citing inconvenience to local residents.
Resident Sunil Bhagwat said people regularly visit the park for walks and alleged that frequent protests at the venue were creating difficulties for residents.
"We come here for walks in this park, but many protests have been happening here recently. Who is responsible for the troubles being caused to the common people? Did the Constitution not explain your duties towards the rest of the people? Who is responsible for the problems the common man here faces?" he said, ANI reported.
Another resident, Ravindra, referred to an earlier protest at the venue and alleged that a large crowd had extended up to Dadar station. He also alleged that bottles of liquor had been thrown during the earlier gathering.
He further raised concerns about traffic disruption, particularly because of schools and a hospital located near the protest site.
"There are two schools and a hospital here. Cars couldn't pass through; around 5 pm, school was getting over and the school kids were stuck in their vehicles anyway," he said.
(With ANI and PTI inputs)
