Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Friday, 4 September accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of deploying what he called 'extremely low-level tactics' to win elections, alleging systematic manipulation of voter registration rolls across Maharashtra. Speaking at a meeting of local party officials and Booth Level Agents (BLAs) in Beed, Thackeray urged workers to scrutinise every voter list entry and fortify the party's organisational presence ahead of upcoming polls.

The Panvel Photocopying Incident

Thackeray cited a specific incident in the Panvel, Navi Mumbai, and Kharghar areas as evidence of alleged electoral malpractice. According to him, Shiv Sena (UBT) workers visiting a local Xerox shop discovered multiple photocopying machines running at full capacity, duplicating confidential Special Intensive Revision (SIR) voter registration forms.

'This is the employment generated under the Modi administration — duplicating fraudulent SIR forms,' Thackeray said sarcastically, alleging that those behind the operation were local BJP operatives. He claimed that when a confrontation broke out, police initially declined to register an FIR, and it was only after sustained pressure from party workers led by Prasad Bhoir that authorities lodged an official complaint late that night.

Scale of Alleged Irregularities

Thackeray alleged that similar incidents occurred elsewhere, with hotel rooms rented under the names of senior political leaders to process fake voter forms before suspects fled. Referencing observations by political commentator Parakala Prabhakar, he claimed an unusual influx of voters was recorded between the Lok Sabha and assembly elections in Maharashtra.

'In Maharashtra, millions of bogus registrations and duplicate voters were observed, while recent voter list revisions under SIR saw over two crore names removed or altered across regions,' he alleged. 'The BJP is adopting extreme measures to secure power without any restraint,' he added.

Organisational Push in Beed

Thackeray praised the party's grassroots management in the Beed assembly constituency, commending leaders including Ambadas Danve for fully appointing BLAs across booths. He instructed assembled workers to personally verify every voter on their rolls by name and face to prevent electoral fraud.

Reflecting on the party's political history in the region, Thackeray recalled the once-close alliance between the undivided Shiv Sena and the BJP, noting his late father's personal ties with veteran BJP leader Gopinath Munde. 'The alliance between the Shiv Sena and BJP back then was completely different from what it is today,' he said, adding that goodwill concessions of seats in Beed over the years had gradually eroded the party's local presence. 'Now, an opportunity has arrived to make Beed district saffron once again,' he declared.

Sharp Words for Rival Factions

Thackeray drew a firm ideological line between what he called loyal Shiv Sainiks and defectors, referring to rival factions pointedly as 'Shah Sena' rather than Shiv Sena. 'The true Shiv Sainik who carries the saffron flag in his heart and mind will never commit treachery,' he said.

He also outlined his upcoming political schedule, announcing a planned visit to Sambhajinagar on 17 September to join ongoing Marathwada protests, followed by the annual Dussehra rally at Shivaji Park in Mumbai. He pledged that a Sena-led government would prioritise public welfare — citing past farm loan waivers — and criticised the current ruling coalition for prioritising financial gain over public service. With assembly elections on the horizon, Thackeray's Beed address signals an intensifying ground war over voter rolls and organisational depth.