India May Briefly Have No PM In The Next 4-5 Months

Mumbai:Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on Wednesday predicted that a major political development could take place in the next four to five months, saying he would not be surprised if India briefly had no Prime Minister. He reiterated his demand for ballot paper-based elections, a stand he has maintained since 2018, and questioned the credibility of the electoral process. The MNS chief also questioned the BJP-led Mahayuti government’s handling of law and order following an attack on actor Tiger Shroff in Mumbai’s Juhu area, demanding tough action against the Lawrence Bishnoi gang and alleging that political interference was undermining the police.

A photo exhibition titled “Dance of Democracy”, documenting ballot paper voting in the country, by veteran photographer Gajanan Dudhalkar was inaugurated by the MNS chief at the Mumbai Press Club. Following the inauguration, Mr Thackeray interacted with the media for around 25 minutes.

Reiterating his demand that elections be conducted using ballot papers, he said he had been pursuing the issue since 2018 and had also met political leaders, including Sonia Gandhi, Sharad Pawar and Mamata Banerjee. Winning or losing an election was a separate matter, he said, arguing that voters should have the confidence and satisfaction of knowing that their vote had gone to the candidate they intended to vote for. “A voter should have the assurance that their vote has been cast for the candidate of their choice,” Mr Thackeray said.

Citing examples of countries that use paper ballots, he said India should prioritise electoral transparency over the speed of counting. “Even if it takes four days to declare the results, there is no hurry,” he said, insisting that elections should be held using ballot papers.

Mr Thackeray also warned of a possible political upheaval in the country over the next four to five months, citing public anger over unemployment, inflation and examination paper leaks. “Drought has been declared in the state by the state… The situation will be the worst (in the coming days) and foodgrain shortages could follow. The government may struggle to manage it. I think a short period can come when the country may not even have the Prime Minister,” the MNS chief said.

Referring to protests over the alleged NEET examination paper leak, he said students who took to the streets were expressing broader public resentment rather than protesting solely over the examination.

Mr Thackeray also alleged that institutions and the media had lost their independence under the BJP’s regime. Comparing India with the United States, he questioned whether democratic freedoms were being adequately protected in the country.

He also criticised the reported police intervention over a documentary by Sabeer Bhatia concerning industrialist Gautam Adani and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, asking whether audiences should be allowed to watch only films supported by the BJP. No one, he said, could assume that power was permanent, adding that political change was necessary.

Reacting to the attack on Tiger Shroff, Mr Thackeray took a swipe at the BJP-led Mahayuti government, questioning whether the BJP would have responded differently had such an attack occurred when it was in the Opposition.

He also raised concerns over the ability of members of the Bishnoi gang to claim responsibility for violent incidents while its leader, Lawrence Bishnoi, remains lodged in Gujarat’s Sabarmati Central Jail. “Get him out of jail and thrash him,” the MNS chief said. He added that they did not fear the law, as if they were being protected by the BJP.

“There is law in the country, but no order,” he said, expressing confidence in the Mumbai Police and Maharashtra Police. He maintained that they could bring crime rates down significantly if given a free hand without political interference.