Mumbai, Oct. 4 -- Communist Party of India (CPI) General Secretary D Raja on Sunday backed the joint protest march led by Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, saying the protests reflected growing public anger and that Kumar "must step down."

Calling the rally "encouraging and inspiring", Raja said protests are taking place beyond the national capital and that people were expressing their anger and concerns.

"This is a very encouraging and inspiring rally because it conveys a strong message. It is not something happening in the national capital, Delhi. The protes...