Shiv Sena (UBT) Chief Uddhav Thackeray Slams SEC For Dropping VVPAT In Maharashtra Local Polls, Questions Poll Credibility

Mumbai: Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray, currently on a visit to Delhi to attend the INDIA bloc meeting, launched a scathing attack on the State Election Commission (SEC) 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.

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.

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

“We are capable of makingour own decisions. Whatever needs to be done, we will do. There is no need for a third party to interfere,” he said.

Uddhav 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,” he said.

Uddhav criticised the BJP led NDA government, alleging that foreign policy under Modi had failed and accused Modi and Shah of acting like propaganda managers rather than national leaders.

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

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 noncommittal.

“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,” he said.