
Shiv Sena (UBT) delegation meets governor, submits letter demanding dismissal of tainted, corrupt and insensitive ministers
"Information was given about the malpractices and cases of many ministers in the state cabinet. The factual situation of the serious cases of minister Sanjay Shirsat, agriculture minister Manikrao Kokate, minister of state Yogesh Kadam, and minister Nitesh Rane was presented before the governor. Information was given to the governor regarding many cases such as the honey trap case, the Thane-Borivli tunnel case, and irregularities in the land acquisition process of Mira-Bhayandar Municipal Corporation," Danve said.
"These incidents are not just a matter of law and order but are a clear insult to the democratic values and fundamental rights of the citizens of that state. The representatives of the ruling party and their supporters are giving an unspoken signal to the public that the law is supreme and there is a complete breakdown of law and order in the state. Due to this, an atmosphere of fear and insecurity was created among the common citizens.
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by Taboola
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Considering the seriousness of your position as the protector of the Constitution, we are requesting you to issue clear instructions to the CM to dismiss all these corrupt and tainted ministers and violent MLAs and take strict action," Danve said in his letter to the governor.
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It is also pertinent to mention that from the very first day of notification, the Election Commission, through its field machinery, undertook proactive steps to ensure full coverage and, as a result, the enumeration teams reached 99.8% of electors—a figure that directly rebuts the claim of widespread exclusion. Yet, this is not the only significant outcome of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR). The exercise also revealed that approximately 22 lakh names on the roll belonged to deceased individuals, 32 lakh were found to be permanently shifted, 4 lakh were untraceable or failed to submit their enumeration forms, and nearly 7 lakh were registered at multiple locations. In total, around 65 lakh electors do not feature in the draft electoral roll. Significantly, about 61 lakh of these were found to be either deceased, permanently relocated, or already enrolled elsewhere—categories that are legally disqualified from being included in the roll. These exclusions are, therefore, not arbitrary but necessary corrections that uphold the legal integrity of the electoral process. As for the remaining 4 lakh electors, despite repeated visits and efforts by enumerators, they were not traceable or did not submit their forms. To address any inadvertent exclusion, including among these 65 lakh names, the Commission has provided an open window for filing claims and objections. The Commission, anticipating the possibility of genuine electors being left out, has instituted a robust remedial mechanism. Any eligible citizen whose name is missing from the draft roll can submit a claim for inclusion until the final publication scheduled for 30th September. This safeguard ensures that the process remains fair and inclusive, without compromising on the legal requirements for eligibility. When initial fears of mass disenfranchisement did not materialize, attention shifted to these figures as supposed evidence of large-scale deletion. However, in line with its guiding principle that 'no eligible elector should be left out,' the Election Commission shared the complete list of such entries with district representatives of recognized political parties, inviting them to verify or trace any individuals whose names they believed had been wrongly deleted. This outreach remains especially relevant for the 4 lakh electors who could not be located during enumeration. Despite this opportunity, no substantial effort or contrary evidence has been produced by any political party to substantiate claims of erroneous deletions. Can this then be termed disenfranchisement? The answer is no. What this instead reveals is that a significant portion of the existing electoral roll included individuals who are deceased, have permanently relocated, or cannot be verified to exist at all. Rather than undermining the democratic process, the Special Intensive Revision has strengthened it by identifying and correcting large-scale inaccuracies. This exercise has not only reaffirmed the Commission's commitment to electoral integrity but has also created an opportunity for stakeholders—including political parties and civil society organizations—to assist in tracing any remaining unverified electors, particularly those who were not found despite field visits. In this crucial final phase, political parties and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) should rise above unproductive debate and instead contribute constructively to the process. Rather than casting doubts or hindering the revision effort, they should actively assist in identifying and facilitating the inclusion of any eligible electors who may have been inadvertently left out of the draft roll. They also have a valuable role in helping track the small remaining segment of 4 lakh untraceable electors, ensuring that the door remains open for rightful inclusion where possible. This last-mile exercise is essential to dispel any remaining apprehension regarding disenfranchisement. It is important to clarify that till the publication of the draft roll, no name has been deleted on the ground of non-availability of documents. Even during the scrutiny of the enumeration forms, every possible effort will be made to ensure that no eligible citizen is excluded solely due to lack of documentation. In cases where documents are unavailable, the Election Commission has deployed an additional force of over 2 lakh volunteers, apart from the 1 lakh Booth Level Officers (BLOs), to actively assist such electors in procuring the required documents from relevant government departments. Furthermore, no name shall be deleted without strictly adhering to the three foundational principles of natural justice—issuing a notice, providing a reasonable opportunity of being heard, and passing a speaking order. Any elector still aggrieved by such deletion is also afforded an opportunity to appeal under a robust two-tier appellate mechanism, thereby ensuring that the process remains both lawful and fair. The Election Commission of India has approached the Special Intensive Revision of the electoral roll with the dual responsibility of inclusion and integrity. While it is bound to ensure that every eligible citizen is rightfully included, it is equally obligated to prevent the entry of ineligible names that can distort the democratic process. The right to vote must be unhindered for those who fulfil the legal conditions, but that same right loses its meaning if the roll is polluted by wrongful entries. But democracy cannot allow those without legal entitlement to occupy the same space in the roll. In ensuring both rightful inclusion and lawful exclusion, the Commission is fulfilling not two competing tasks, but one unified constitutional duty: protecting the sanctity of the franchise. EC is simply doing its job.