Thackeray’s Shiv Sena Fires Salvo at BJD, BRS: Calls for Derecognition Over VP Poll Boycott

The Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) faction has launched an explosive attack, not just on the ruling party but also on the Election Commission of India (EC). In its mouthpiece Saamana, the party alleged that the Commission allowed malpractice, enabling manipulation of votes in what should be the “sacred process” of the Constitution.

The editorial declared that the victory of RSS-backed candidate C. P. Radhakrishnan was tainted by “vote stealing, black money, blackmail, and threats,” branding the democratic process as compromised.

Allegations of Vote Manipulation

According to Sena’s claims, opposition candidate B. Sudarshan Reddy was expected to secure around 315 votes but ended up with only 300. Additionally, 15 ballots were declared invalid — most of which, Sena alleged, were in Reddy’s favour.

“It cannot be dismissed as an accident; this is nothing less than a staged conspiracy,” the editorial thundered. It accused parties like Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) of deliberately staying “neutral” out of fear of central investigative agencies. Sena went further, demanding these parties be derecognised to prevent future withdrawals during elections.

Call for Electoral Reforms

Uddhav Thackeray’s faction used the episode to argue for bold electoral reforms. The editorial proposed compulsory voting and open ballots to eliminate secret deals and horse trading.

“Horse trading has entered even the highest levels of our democracy,” the piece stated, urging Radhakrishnan to bring legislation that would safeguard elections from executive interference. Sena compared the alleged malpractice to BJP’s tactics in Gram Panchayat and Zilla Parishad polls, saying that even the Vice-Presidential election had not escaped manipulation.

Questions Raised on Office of Vice President

The editorial also asked uncomfortable questions about the role of ex-Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar after his resignation. It demanded that the new Vice President ensure transparency and dignity in the office.

According to Sena, the NDA’s so-called “victory” was nothing more than engineered splits among opposition ranks. The article even alleged cross-voting MPs were “enticed with foreign trips on chartered flights,” eroding the dignity of the constitutional post.

A Warning for the Future

Going beyond its usual rhetoric, Sena predicted that “one day Radhakrishnan will reveal his true colours as Rajya Sabha Chairman.” Analysts believe this criticism is not just emotional outrage but a calculated political strategy to align opposition forces nationwide, while the Maharashtra power struggle continues.

The sharpest sign, experts note, was Sena’s call for action against BJD and BRS, which it sees as symbols of central coercion. In this framing, Sena painted itself as a defender of democracy, warning that the country stands at the edge of collapse unless electoral honesty is restored.