Mumbai: Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on Thursday raised fresh concerns over alleged irregularities in the Mumbai civic elections, accusing authorities of compromising the voting process by allowing the use of marker pens instead of indelible ink. The MNS leader warned that such practices risk undermining the credibility of one of India’s most high-stakes municipal polls. 

Speaking after casting his vote in Dadar, Thackeray said the state machinery was being misused to secure victory for the ruling parties. "I want to bring to notice how the system is being implemented by the government. They want to win elections at any cost. They will do anything for that. We raised bogus and double voters and the VVPAT issue. Now they are using marker pens instead of ink. This is unacceptable. Such fraudulent elections are of no use. I appeal to citizens to be alert," he said.

Allegations of misuse of administration

Thackeray accused the State Election Commission (SEC) of favouring the ruling alliance and claimed the administration was being weaponised to manipulate outcomes. He said the indelible ink normally applied to voters’ fingers could be wiped off easily, raising fears of repeat voting.

"They (the government) don't want the Opposition parties. The entire administration is being run by the government (to win the polls). This is not the sign of a healthy democracy. There is a limit to misuse of power," he said, urging his party cadre to remain vigilant against possible malpractices during the polling.

The MNS chief was accompanied by his mother, Kunda Thackeray, and other family members while casting his vote.

Fadnavis responds to Thackeray’s remarks

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis pushed back against MNS chief Raj Thackeray’s claims that marker pens used in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections could be tampered with, defending the voting process and calling for restraint.

Speaking after casting his ballot in Nagpur, Fadnavis dismissed the concerns and said the matter should be reviewed by election officials.

“I have also been marked with a marker, is it erasing? The Election Commission should look into this issue and use something else, they can use oil paint if they want, the elections should be impartial. But creating a ruckus on everything and raising questions is very wrong,” he said.

Uddhav Thackeray urges high turnout

Earlier in the day, Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray appealed to citizens to vote in large numbers to oust the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) from power. He cast his ballot in Bandra East alongside his wife Rashmi and son Aaditya.

"I urge voters to exercise their right and dislodge the brutal, fraud, corrupt and dictatorial BJP," Uddhav said after voting.

Aaditya Thackeray also encouraged residents to participate, appealing to those who “love Mumbai and Maharashtra” to come out and vote.

High-stakes battle for India’s richest civic body

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) election marks a pivotal contest for both Uddhav and Raj Thackeray, who are fighting one of their most challenging electoral battles as allies. Control of the BMC — India’s wealthiest civic authority with an annual budget exceeding ₹74,000 crore — remains a politically prized objective.

The cousins have centred their campaigns on issues of “Marathi manoos” and Marathi pride, seeking to reclaim influence in the city’s political landscape.

(With inputs from PTI)