Mumbai: It’s Diwali before Dussehra for Uddhav-led Shiv Sena

Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray with son Aaditya Thackeray at the party’s annual Dussehra Rally at Shivaji Park in 2012. Pic/Ashish Rane

As the Bombay High Court paved the way for Uddhav Thackeray's Dussehra rally at Shivaji Park, the Shiv Sena chief called it a victory of democracy and appealed to his party workers to participate in the event with gusto but without harming their six-decade-old tradition.

Thackeray said the HC had asked the government to maintain the law and order during the rally. "You [Sainiks] go to the rally with enthusiasm and in a disciplined manner, but ensure that the enlightening tradition of the Dussehra rally is not harmed in any way. I don't know what others will do. The court has made the government responsible for law and order. I hope it is carried out," said the Sena president at a media conference on Friday evening.

About the court order, Thackeray said it was a victory of democracy and his faith in the judiciary was proved.

Also read: Dussehra rally: Faith in judiciary vindicated, says Uddhav Thackeray on Bombay HC order; NCP says justice done

Workers celebrate

The court victory against the Eknath Shinde faction prompted the Sena workers to celebrate in the streets, offices and at Thackeray's Kalanagar home Matoshree. The leaders, office-bearers and workers congregated at Matoshree where they also greeted Sena president's wife Rashmi on
her birthday.

Sena workers celebrate after the HC decision on Friday

The Shinde group didn't offer a cohesive reaction. Its spokesperson Naresh Mhaske said the order will be followed, while MLA Bharat Gogawale indicated that they might challenge the HC decision in the Supreme Court.

Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis said the police and BMC argued in the court and based on it the directive had come. "As a court order has to be followed, this one will also be followed," he said. On law and order, the home minister added that the government knew its responsibility and was well versed in the handling of troublemakers, if any.

Opposition leader in the Assembly, Ajit Pawar, was satisfied with the order. "Justice has been done. The Sena workers must be very enthusiastic today. Now the people who want to listen to Thackeray can go to Shivaji Park and those interested in the Shinde group can go to BKC," he said, observing on a lighter note that it would be a great media exercise if the main speeches from both rallies overlapped on October 5.

Abuse of process of law: HC

In the high court, a division bench of Justices R D Dhanuka and Kamal Khata said that the BMC's order refusing permission for the Dussehra rally at Shivaji Park on October 5 was a "clear abuse of process of law and bonafide". It has allowed the Uddhav Sena to use the ground from October 2 to October 6.

On Wednesday, the BMC said it was refusing permission as a similar application had been filed by MLA Sada Sarvankar of the Shinde Sena. The civic body cited potential law and order problems, as apprehended by local police, behind its decision.

Thackeray Sena spokesperson Manisha Kayande said this year's rally will be grand. "There must have been some pressure on the BMC which denied the permission."

With agency inputs

21
Day in September when BMC denied nod to use Shivaji Park