Sanjay Raut calls Uddhav-Raj Thackeray protest a ‘revolt’ against alleged ECI irregularities

Shiv Sena UBT leader Sanjay Raut on Sunday described the joint protest led by Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray in Mumbai as a ldquorevoltrdquo against what he alleged was the undermining of democratic institutions electoral processes and citizensrsquo constitutional rightsSpeaking ahead of the protest march against Chief Election Commissioner CEC Gyanesh Kumar Raut accused the Election Commission of India ECI of facilitating what he called the ldquohijackingrdquo of elections and alleged that democratic institutions were being weakenedldquoThis protest is against the Hitlerrule prevailing in the country hijacking elections keeping the Election Commission and the Supreme Court in ones pocket running a dictatorship stealing votes stealing elections and poaching MPs and MLAs This is a revolt against all that much like the one in 1857 he told reportersRaut says MVA backing Thackerayled marchRaut said the protest announced jointly by Shiv Sena UBT chief Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena MNS chief Raj Thackeray had received backing from opposition parties in MaharashtraRaj Thackeray and Uddhav Thackeray have announced this protest march with the entire Maha Vikas Aghadi backing it The march is about to begin and everyone will take the stage to address the nation he addedRaut also said the ldquoGarjana Morchardquo was aimed at demanding Kumarrsquos resignation over alleged irregularities in the functioning of the Election CommissionldquoThis Garjana Morcha is being organised to save the Constitution and to protest against scams within the Election Commission the denial of voting rights to citizens and to demand the resignation of Gyanesh Kumar who is being labelled a BJP agentrdquo Raut saidUddhav and Raj Thackeray to lead protestUddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray are leading the joint march marking a significant public appearance by the two cousins in a common political campaign The protest is focused on allegations concerning the electoral process and demands for greater accountability from the Election CommissionRaut said the Congress NCP Left parties and the Peasants and Workers Party had also been invited to participateWe have extended invitations to everyone All the parties present here in Maharashtra have been invited and we are confident that everyone will turn up he saidSawant says Thackeray presence has boosted protestShiv Sena UBT MP Arvind Sawant said the joint appearance of Uddhav and Raj Thackeray had given additional momentum to the agitationldquoProtests are taking place everywhere in the country today specifically regarding the corruption within the Election Commission and the manner in which they are operating They are acting illegally and unconstitutionally This issue has sparked an outcry across India But that outcry gains real strength the moment the name Thackeray enters the picture that is when it gathers momentum Today both brothers are here together standing firm with the slogan Remove the Election Commission Save the Country And by Save the Country we mean saving the nations Constitution and its democracy That is why both brothers have come together here it is a symbolic gesture Understand this the public is seething with anger and agitation and today that sentiment will find its expression he told ANIProtest route revised amid security arrangementsThe march was initially planned from Byculla but the route was later changed following discussions with Mumbai Police The revised route starts at Metro Cinema and proceeds towards Azad Maidan with the protest scheduled to culminate with addresses by senior leaders Police have stepped up security arrangements along the routeShiv Sena UBT leader Anil Parab said the protest was not restricted to political parties and would also include citizens concerned about their right to voteldquoOur protest is directed at the Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar Our demand stems from the fact that our constitutional right to vote is being stolen and this protest is against that theft It is not just the Shiv Sena MNS NCP and opposition parties participating anyone who believes their right to vote should not be stolen will join this protest he told ANIRaut said the march would conclude early because of the heatWith inputs from ANI