Union Minister Ramdas Athawale on Sunday, 18 October 2026, launched a sharp counterattack on Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray over his 'regime change' remarks, asserting that in a democracy, the power to change a government belongs solely to the people and can only be exercised through elections. The remarks add a fresh edge to a political controversy that has been simmering in New Delhi over alleged 'vote theft' and protests targeting the Election Commission of India (ECI).

Athawale's Rebuttal

'If Uddhav Thackeray wants a change, he can strive for it in the upcoming 2029 elections. It is not in his hands alone; it lies with the public. Millions of people cast their votes and exercise their franchise to elect a government. This is not Bangladesh, Nepal, or Sri Lanka. Our country is governed according to the Constitution drafted by Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar,' Athawale said.

The Union Minister also weighed in on the controversy surrounding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, whose appointment has come under Opposition scrutiny. 'Gyanesh Kumar is also elected through Constitutional power. If there is an allegation of vote chori, then the Election Commission will investigate it. However, SIR is also an important process to eliminate the names of fake voters, people who have passed away and avoid any duplications,' he added.

Athawale further noted that if any genuine voter had been removed from electoral rolls, 'the issue will surely be looked into,' but maintained that the correct democratic recourse remains contesting elections.

What Thackeray Said

The exchange was triggered by remarks Uddhav Thackeray made on Saturday at an awards ceremony organised by the All India Journalists' Conference in New Delhi. Thackeray launched a forceful defence of the Opposition's position, declaring: 'If opposing the government democratically is branded as a regime change, then yes, we are trying to bring about a regime change, and we stand here precisely to overthrow this power.'

Thackeray also questioned how the Opposition could remain silent when, in his view, the ruling establishment was depriving citizens of their fundamental rights to express opinions through elections and stage peaceful protests. He referenced recent remarks by advocate Prashant Bhushan in Delhi, asking: 'If the ruling party claims that we are attempting to change this system, what is wrong with that?'

Background: The 'Regime Change' Controversy

The phrase 'regime change' entered the political discourse after Opposition leaders and student activists deployed it during ongoing protests in the national Capital against the ECI and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over what they allege is systematic 'vote theft'. The protests have drawn a strong reaction from the ruling establishment, which critics argue has sought to frame democratic dissent as anti-constitutional activity.

Notably, this is not the first time the Mahayuti alliance and the Maha Vikas Aghadi — the two rival blocs in Maharashtra — have traded blows over electoral integrity. The rift between the two factions of Shiv Sena, following the split that brought Eknath Shinde's group into alignment with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has kept both sides in a state of sustained political confrontation.

Wider Implications

Athawale's intervention is significant as it brings a prominent Dalit political voice into the debate, invoking Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar's Constitution as the ultimate arbiter of democratic change — a framing that places the onus squarely on electoral participation rather than street-level mobilisation. This comes amid a broader national debate about the independence and credibility of the ECI, which has faced mounting scrutiny from Opposition parties across the country.

With Maharashtra Assembly elections in recent memory and national polls on the horizon, the battle over electoral legitimacy is unlikely to subside. How the ECI responds to the 'vote chori' allegations — and whether the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process is seen as transparent — will shape the political temperature in the weeks ahead.