Uddhav, Raj and Sharad Pawar slam EC over voters list

Mumbai, Nov 1: The Maha Vikas Aghadi comprising the Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP (SP) along with Maharashtra Navnirman Sena on Saturday held a protest march against alleged irregularities in the voters list, which the Opposition has been claiming were helping the ruling BJP.

The Opposition accused the Election Commission of India of turning a blind eye to alleged voters list irregularities like multiple entries, wrongful deletions and additions etc and asserted local body polls in Maharashtra should go ahead only after these shortcomings are rectified.

The 'Satyacha Morcha' (march for truth) started from Fashion Street in the southern part of the metropolis in the afternoon and culminated at the BMC headquarters a kilometre away, with former chief minister Uddhav Thackeray, NCP (SP) supremo Sharad Pawar, MNS' Raj Thackeray and Congress leader Balasaheb Thorat, among others, taking part.

Speaking at the rally organised at the end of the march, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray said his name was uploaded on the 'Saksham' app from a fake mobile.

"I have a doubt that it was done to remove my name from the voters list," the former chief minister claimed.

Reciting a dialogue from Sholay, he used the 'anaconda' jibe to target the BJP.

"Like the dialogue pachees kos door jab bachcha rota hai to maa kehti hai so jao nahi to Gabbar aa jayega, I want to tell you all to stay awake or else anaconda will come," Thackeray said.

He said the opposition wants elections to be held as it is eager to defeat the ruling alliance.

"You steal my party, my symbol, my father's name and now you want to steal votes," Thackeray said in a swipe at the BJP-led ruling dispensation.

Raj Thackeray alleged there are "lakhs of dual voters in Mumbai" as per the electoral rolls uploaded till July 1 this year.

"There are about 4500 voters who have voted in Kalyan rural assembly (in neighbouring Thane district) as well as Malabar Hill assembly (in south Mumbai). What is the need for elections with this bogus voter list? Clean it up and then hold polls," the MNS leader said.

NCP (SP) supremo Pawar said the morcha was an exemplary show of strength and unity for protecting the Constitution and parliamentary democracy.

Senior Congress leader Balasaheb Thorat said the vote theft issue was first flagged by Rahul Gandhi and is now resonating across the country. (PTI)