Shiv Sena (UBT) Chief Uddhav Thackeray Slams Election Commission For Dropping VVPAT In Maharashtra Local Polls

Mumbai: Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray, currently on a visit to Delhi to attend the INDIA alliance meeting, launched a scathing attack on the State Election Commission over its decision not to use VVPAT machines in the upcoming local body elections in Maharashtra.

"VVPATs were introduced when doubts were raised about EVMs. Now, if you're not going to use them, why even conduct elections? Just announce the winners. We don't even know who we've voted for. What’s the point of holding elections?" Thackeray remarked.

#WATCH | Delhi: On PM Modi's upcoming visit to China, Shiv Sena UBT chief Uddhav Thackeray says, "First of all, he should clarify who our enemies are, and who our friends are. PM Modi has been touring every inch of the world for the last 10 years... It has come out openly that… pic.twitter.com/Mcc2dVr5TC

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He further criticised the poll body for initiating the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in Bihar election, expressing concern that this might be a covert attempt to implement the National Register of Citizens (NRC) through the back door.

On Possible Sena UBT-MNS Alliance

Amid growing speculation about a potential alliance between Shiv Sena (UBT) and Raj Thackeray's Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) ahead of the BMC elections, Uddhav Thackeray clarified that any such decision would be taken solely by him and his cousin.

"We are capable of making our own decisions. Whatever needs to be done, we will do. There is no need for a third party to interfere," he said, when asked about whether Raj Thackeray would attend the INDIA bloc meeting or meet Congress leader Rahul Gandhi during the visit.

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Uddhav Thackeray also took aim at Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who is in Delhi to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah.

"A traitor is a traitor. I don’t give them much importance. He may have come to meet his masters," Thackeray said, referring to Shinde's 2022 rebellion that split the Shiv Sena.

The former Maharashtra Chief Minister didn’t stop there. He criticised the BJP-led NDA government, alleging that foreign policy under Modi had failed and accused the PM and Home Minister of acting like propaganda managers rather than national leaders.

"Today, the Prime Minister, Home Minister, and Defence Minister are functioning more as propaganda ministers of the BJP. Had Modi been truly the PM of the nation, he would have visited Pahalgam following recent violence. Instead, he chose to go to Bihar," he said.

He also claimed that former U.S. President Donald Trump had mocked Modi, and lamented Modi's inability to offer a strong response.

INDIA Bloc Meeting

Thackeray is in the capital to participate in the first in-person meeting of the INDIA opposition bloc since its defeat in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The meeting, convened by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, is aimed at strategising ahead of the upcoming state and municipal elections.

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When asked about the upcoming Vice Presidential election and whether Shiv Sena (UBT) would support the NDA's nominee if the candidate is Marathi-speaking, Thackeray remained non-committal.

"We’ll talk about such possibilities when we know who the candidate is. Right now, we want to understand why the former Vice President was removed from office. That is the real issue that needs discussion," he said.