Shiv Sena Dussehra rally: After Shivaji Park, Sena factions race for BKC ground

Both the Sena factions have sought permission to use the MMRDA Ground in BKC. Pic/Sayyed Sameer Abedi

Considering the influence Eknath Shinde's Sena might use to get hold of the BMC-controlled Shivaji Park for its maiden Dussehra rally on October 5, the Uddhav Thackeray faction has sought to rent the MMRDA ground at BKC for a Dussehra rally. Interestingly, the Shinde group has also applied for permission for a rally at the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) ground.

MP Arvind Sawant from Thackeray Sena wrote a letter to MMRDA's Land and Estate cell, seeking to book MMRDA G block ground for the Dussehra rally. Sawant's letter was, however, written on the letterhead of Bharatiya Kamgar Sena - Shiv Sena labour union. He also paid R5,900 booking amount as a demand draft. Sawant has stated that Thackrey will attend the rally. "We booked the ground for the Bharatiya Kamgar Sena rally, not for the Shiv Sena," said Sawant, adding, "Shiv Sena's traditional Dussehra rally will be held at Shivaji Park." Interestingly, this is the first time that Bharatiya Kamgar Sena is organising a Dussehra rally.

Meanwhile, the Thackeray faction on August 22 moved for permission to hold a rally at Shivaji Park. Following this, the chief minister's faction also applied for the same venue on September 5. Sources said CM Shinde on Tuesday night told his MLAs that they would hold their rally at Shivaji Park, also known as Shiv Tirth, at any cost.

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A BMC official said, "The civic chief will take the final decision on the applications." BMC chief I S Chahal did not respond to the message.

Sena's Dussehra Rally in Shivaji Park is a tradition that was started by party supremo Balasaheb Thackrey. After his demise, his son and the current party chief Uddhav Thackrey led the rally. However, due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the rally was conducted online for the past 2 years.

If Thackeray's camp loses Shivaji Park, it would be their first-ever displacement from the iconic venue that has become synonymous with the Shiv Sena's Dussehra congregation. Though the party has held rallies at other venues, including Bandra-Kurla Complex, Dadar's cricketing field has a historic significance with regard to Shiv Sena's birth and the announcement of its agenda.

The united Shiv Sena had even fought legal battles to secure the venue in the past.

However, the split Sena finds two groups at loggerheads, fighting in the streets and studios, pushing forth the rhetoric claiming to be an original outfit, the one that the founder, the late Bal Thackeray, had conceptualised over six decades ago.

With the civic polls expected any month now, the battle of supremacy has intensified. Shinde wants to get the upper hand by staking a claim to Shivaji Park. The Thackeray camp has been attacking the Shinde group since it gained power along with the BJP on June 30.

Meanwhile, Thackeray has announced a mass meeting of office-bearers from all levels at NESCO Goregaon on September 21. At least 35,000 people from across the state are expected to attend.

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Day in October when the rally will be held