• The Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC), the state unit of the opposition Indian National Congress (INC), is scheduled to stage a statewide protest on January 25, also observed as National Voter’s Day. The timing and exact locations of the protest remain unconfirmed, as of writing.
• The protest aims to denounce the 2024 Maharashtra state Assembly elections over alleged electoral fraud, the Election Commission’s lack of transparency, rising criminal activities, custodial violence, and corruption under the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government.

1. The turnout in the slated protests is likely to vary depending on the location. Participation in major urban centers such as Mumbai and Pune is likely to be higher, ranging in the high dozens to low hundreds, while participation in smaller cities will likely be limited to the mid-to-high dozens. Possible participation from INC-affiliated local groups like the Youth Congress (IYC) is liable to boost the turnout.
2. Bolstered security measures are expected at protest locations including outside BJP local offices and government buildings. These measures will likely include the deployment of police personnel and the installation of barricades to oversee the proceedings. There also exists a potential for counterprotests by the BJP, leading to low-scale inter-party scuffles. In such a case, the police are liable to employ crowd dispersal measures, including temporary detentions and baton charges. Localized travel disruptions are expected in the vicinity of the demonstration sites during protest hours.

Those operating or residing in Maharashtra, including Mumbai and Pune, on January 25 are advised to maintain vigilance due to the slated protest and associated risk of scuffles.