Mumbai, Oct 2026 : Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Monday hit back at Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis over his “Ghajini” remark aimed at Thackeray cousins Uddhav and Raj, as the political confrontation over the Election Commission and the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls intensified in the state.
Fadnavis had taken a dig at the Thackeray brothers after their joint “Virat Garjana Morcha” in Mumbai on Sunday, which sought the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and demanded that the SIR exercise be scrapped. The rally, led by Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray, drew participation from opposition leaders, including those from the Congress and the Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP).
Raut strongly criticised Fadnavis’ comments and accused the BJP of becoming increasingly concerned over the growing opposition to the functioning of the Election Commission.
“The BJP has lost its mental balance,” Raut said, drawing a comparison between the present political situation and what he described as the desperation of the British Empire before its decline.
Raut referred to recent legal proceedings concerning allegations about the functioning of the Election Commission and questioned whether Fadnavis would use similar language for members of the judiciary.
“Supreme Court Justice Ujwal Bhuyan voiced strong concerns about election integrity, noting how wrong it is when millions of citizens lose their right to vote. Will Devendra Fadnavis have the audacity to call a sitting Supreme Court judge ‘Ghajini’ too?” Raut said.
His remarks came amid a wider controversy over the functioning of CEC Gyanesh Kumar. On Monday, the Supreme Court declined to pass an interim order restraining Kumar from functioning, saying it could not proceed on assumptions based solely on media reports. The court, however, issued notices to the Centre and the Election Commission seeking responses to allegations that decisions were taken without the approval of the other Election Commissioners.
Raut also criticised BJP leader Ashish Shelar for describing the opposition mobilisation as “kolhekui”, or jackal-howling.
“They are jackals themselves, which is why all they see is howling. It wasn't a howl; it was a ‘Garjana’ (Roar) -- the largest anti-election manipulation protest the country has seen,” he said.
The Sena (UBT) leader claimed that the protests reflected growing concern among opposition parties over electoral transparency. He said leaders and political groups from different parts of the country were coming together around the issue.
Raut also alleged that Delhi had been turned into a heavily secured zone to prevent further demonstrations. He claimed that security forces, including the BSF and armed personnel, had been deployed around the residences of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
Opposition protests against Kumar and the SIR have continued in Delhi in recent days, with police detaining demonstrators attempting to reach Jantar Mantar. The protests have involved political parties, civil society groups, activists and lawyers.
Raut said opposition parties would assemble at Parliament’s Makar Dwar and march towards the Election Commission office to submit what he described as evidence concerning alleged electoral irregularities. He also demanded that Kumar address the public directly and respond to the allegations being raised against the poll panel.
The Shiv Sena (UBT) MP further turned his attention to Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, criticising his visit to Delhi while the state faces issues related to drought and governance.
“Maharashtra is reeling under drought and rising corruption, yet the Deputy Chief Minister sits on the lawn of the Home Minister's house in Delhi like a paying guest,” Raut said, questioning the priority being given to the state’s problems.
He also targeted legislators who had switched political sides, arguing that financial benefits or enhanced security could not determine public acceptance.
“You may get Rs 50 crore or two police escort vehicles ahead and behind, but public sentiment cannot be bought,” Raut said, adding that slogans raised by students against such politicians represented public anger.
The verbal exchange between Raut and the BJP comes against the backdrop of a broader political confrontation over the Election Commission, SIR and electoral transparency. The Thackeray cousins’ October 4 rally was notable for the absence of party flags, with participants instead carrying the national flag as the opposition sought to project the agitation as a wider campaign on electoral issues.
While the opposition has alleged irregularities and questioned the transparency of the electoral-roll revision process, the Election Commission and the government have rejected the allegations. The Supreme Court’s latest intervention is expected to bring further scrutiny to the dispute as the Centre and poll panel respond to the court’s notice.
