Annual Dussehra Rally — Battle Between Shiv Sena Factions Intensifies To Prove Support

Thackeray-led Shiv Sena is holding its annual Dussehra rally at the historic Shivaji Park ground, while the breakaway Shinde-led faction is holding the rally at the BKC ground.

Both the factions had been demanding to hold the rally at the same venue (Shivaji Park) and sent applications to the BMC requesting permission.

Mumbaikars, brace yourself for chaotic traffic on the evening of September 5 when the warring factions of the Shiv Sena will contend for a show of strength after the party was rocked by a rebellion last June. Factions led by Uddhav Thackeray and Eknath Shinde are organising separate Dussehra rallies, a tradition which has been part of the Shiv Sena’s identity for the last five decades. A large number of Shiv Sainiks are expected to throng both rallies.

Both factions are claiming to be the real Shiv Sena. The matter is pending before the constitutional bench of the Supreme Court. Both the factions have claimed the party’s bow and arrow symbol and the Election Commission is likely to take some decision soon. However, by organising parallel Dussehra rallies, both factions are seeking to convey that the grassroots party workers are with them.

The Dussehra rally has been traditionally organised at Shivaji Park. Hence, the Thackeray faction applied to the BMC for the use of the ground for the purpose. However, Thackeray’s application was followed by an application from the Shinde faction, asking to use the ground at the same time and on the same date.

The BMC declined permission to both the factions, claiming that permitting any faction to use the ground would lead to a law and order crisis. The matter reached the Bombay High Court. Last week, the court ruled in favour of the Thackeray faction and lambasted the BMC for refusing the permission. After being defeated legally, the Shinde faction opted for Bandra-Kurla Complex, which is as spacious as Shivaji Park.

The preparations at both the grounds are going in full swing. Both the factions have hired hundreds of buses to bring their supporters from across Maharashtra. In their publicity material, both the factions are asserting to be the real heir of the party’s founder, Balasaheb Thackeray.

Before the rallies, the warring groups are also making allegations against each other.

The Shinde group has alleged that the Congress and the NCP workers would be called to fill up the chairs at Shivaji Park, while the Thackeray faction has alleged that the BJP workers are going to fill up the ground at Shinde’s rally.