CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke announced on X that the party will launch a nationwide protest on October 2, 2026, demanding the resignation of Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar before September 27. The movement targets the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, which opposition parties say risks inflating voter lists and compromising election integrity.
Aaditya Thackeray, head of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, urged Mumbai residents to join the protest, stating, "If Gyanesh doesn’t go, Mumbai will step out against Vote Chori from 2nd October, in huge numbers!" Thackeray’s pledge follows a phone call with former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who expressed readiness to coordinate a broader opposition response.
CPM General Secretary M A Baby wrote to CJP leadership, seeking a joint platform to confront alleged irregularities in the SIR exercise. CJP’s team is reportedly reviewing the letter, with an expected reply that could solidify a unified front across parties.
In anticipation of the protest, Shiv Sena and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena have announced a joint rally on October 4, 2026, calling it a “save democracy” campaign. The rally will feature speeches from Thackeray, Baby, and other opposition figures, aiming to mobilize voters and highlight concerns over the Election Commission’s operations.
As the date approaches, opposition leaders are intensifying coordination, arranging meetings with the Election Commission and preparing legal challenges. The upcoming protests could force the Election Commission to reconsider the SIR process, potentially reshaping the electoral landscape ahead of the next general elections.