Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut triggered alarm on Tuesday by announcing a joint squad of workers from the Uddhav Thackeray-led party and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS). This squad has a specific task: to "thrash" dual and bogus voters on polling day for civic elections scheduled for January 15.
Raut's Threat Follows Raj Thackeray's Appeal
Raut's warning came as a follow-up to the public appeal made by MNS president Raj Thackeray. Thackeray has been actively campaigning for elections to Mumbai and other civic bodies. The alliance between MNS and Shiv Sena (UBT) aims to protect Mumbai's political landscape. They are responding to the expanding influence of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena faction.
Joint Squad to Operate from Early Morning
"We have formed a squad that will be in action from 7 am on January 15," Raut told reporters in Mumbai. He explained that once the squad receives information about dual voters in specific regions, the joint team will handle such voters appropriately. This statement has raised serious concerns about potential violence and law and order issues during the polls.
High-Decibel Campaigning in Mumbai Metropolitan Region
Raut's warning emerges against the backdrop of intense campaigning for elections to 29 civic bodies. The political atmosphere is charged with sharp exchanges between the BJP and Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena on one side, and the Shiv Sena (UBT)-MNS combine on the other. The opposition has aggressively raised the issue of bogus and dual voters with the State Election Commission, demanding corrections in the electoral rolls.
Legal Consequences Questioned
When questioned about the legal implications of physically assaulting individuals labeled as dual voters, Raut offered a controversial defense. He argued that thrashing those who do not fit within the law does not constitute a law and order situation. "Does bogus voting fit in the definition of law and order?" Raut asked, challenging the conventional understanding of legal boundaries.
This stance has sparked debate among political analysts and citizens alike. Many fear that such actions could lead to unrest and violence on polling day. The announcement highlights the heightened tensions in Mumbai's political scene as the civic polls approach.
