Mumbai News: As Maharashtra awaits the Assembly elections in the coming few weeks, the stage is all set for the annual political agenda-setting of both Mahayuti-- comprising Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and, Shiv Sena--and Maha Vikas Aghadi-- comprising Congress, NCP-Sharadchandra Pawar, Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray)--alliances with Dasara or Dussehra Melava (rallies) on Saturday (October 12). While Chief Minister Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena will gather at Azad Maidan in south Mumbai for the annual show of strength, the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) will both hold Dussehra rallies at Shivaji Park in Dadar.
Both factions have released their rally teasers ahead of the festivities. Shinde faction's teaser shows a tiger-- representing the Sena-- tied to the Congress, with Shinde cutting the rope, while the Uddhav faction's teaser focuses on protecting Maratha pride and slams "traitors," referring to rebel MLAs.
With seat-sharing talks in both factions at their final stages, the rallies are expected to be a showcase of strength, poll preparedness, and claims to Bal Thackeray’s legacy of the two Shiv Senas. During the annual event, both factions are expected to set the narrative of the line of attack and announce potential government policies.
Annual Dussehra Rallies In Mumbai: Significance
Since the 1960s, Shiv Sena has been holding a Dussehra (Vijay Dashami) rally on the tenth day of the Navaratri festival at Shivaji Park. the event has been a key tradition for the party originally led by party founder Bal Thackeray. After the party's split in 2022, the Uddhav-led Shiv Sena continued the tradition at Shivaji Park, while Shinde's faction has shifted to Azad Maidan.
Heavy rain on Thursday night left both venues muddy, but despite that Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut said the rally would go on as planned. Meanwhile, Shinde’s faction has booked 3,000 private buses to bring supporters to the venue as it reportedly expects a crowd of around 2 lakh attendees at Azad Maidan.