'I Do Not Have Faith In The Current Election Commission': Aaditya Thackeray

Speaking with Rajdeep Sardesai at the India Today Mumbai Conclave, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray addressed critical issues concerning election integrity, governance, and national politics in Maharashtra. Thackeray alleged voter roll manipulation and flaws in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process, stating that thirty lakh duplicate voter entries were detected in Mumbai and seventy lakh questionable names were submitted to authorities. Expressing a lack of faith in the poll body, he demanded the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Thackeray further questioned border management regarding claims of illegal immigrants and defended his participation in citizen demonstrations. Examining governance under the ruling regime, he termed the period a lost decade for growth, jobs, and infrastructure, while citing shortcomings in flood relief and crop loan insurance. Pointing to party defections as evidence of a leadership crisis within the Bharatiya Janata Party, Thackeray also endorsed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi within the INDIA bloc and challenged Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to a debate.