Shiv Sena dussehra rally tradition jeopardy, both factions denied permission

Mumbai, Sept 22nd, 2022: In the latest scuffle between Maha CM Eknath Shinde and Uddhav Thackeray, both Shiv Sena factions sought permission to hold the annual Dusshera rally in the Shivaji Park of Mumbai.

The Dusshera rally was organized by Shiv Sena every year but now that there are two Shiv Sena factions in the city, one led by Uddhav Thackeray and the Eknath Shinde faction, complications were seen as both approached the BMC with a request to hold the rally.

The BMC on Thursday denied permission to both the factions. The permission has been denied on the basis of a law and order issue raised by Mumbai Police.

The police submitted a report citing a firing incident that took place at the Dadar railway station on the day of Ganpati Visarjan this month. It further said that in light of this incident, such a large gathering with expected political tension cannot be allowed due to issues of safety and order.

The civic body has sent letters to both factions conveying the denial of permission.

“Based on the reports sent by the Mumbai Police, we have issued rejection letters to Shiv Sena’s MP Anil Desai and Shinde faction’s MLA Sada Sarvankar”, said a senior BMC official.

Last week, the Shinde faction got the nod for holding a rally at the MMRDA ground at the Bandra Kurla Complex in Mumbai.