Uddhav Thackeray Slams Maharashtra Civic Polls as 'Democracy Murder'

Uddhav Thackeray, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief, accused the Maharashtra civic polls of irregularities, calling it an attempt to undermine democracy. He demanded the suspension of the State Election Commissioner due to alleged collusion with the government during the municipal corporation elections, including those in Mumbai.

In a bold accusation, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Thursday claimed irregularities in the Maharashtra civic polls, calling the process a ''murder'' of democracy.

Thackeray, the former chief minister, urged for the suspension of the State Election Commissioner, following suspicions of misconduct in the municipal corporation elections, with voting happening on Thursday across 29 municipal corporations, including the major hub of Mumbai.

Addressing media, Thackeray described the State Election Commission (SEC) as anti-constitutional, alleging a conspiracy between the poll body and the state government, and specifically called for State Election Commissioner Dinesh Waghmare to be suspended.

(With inputs from agencies.)