Mumbai is gearing up for a battle of Dussehra rallies today as Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena and the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) hold events, aiming to show their strength ahead of the Maharashtra assembly elections. The Uddhav Thackeray-led will hold the event at Shivaji Park in Dadar, while Shinde's faction will gather at Azad Maidan in south Mumbai.
Both the groups have said that the events will be held despite heavy rain in the city. Shinde's faction is expecting around 2 lakh people to attend the rally at Azad Maidan. The group has arranged 3,000 private buses to bring supporters to the venue.
Both factions have released teasers ahead of the rallies. Shinde group's teaser shows a tiger, representing the Sena, tied to the Congress, with Shinde cutting the rope.
The Shiv Sena (UBT) teaser focuses on protecting Maharashtra’s pride and criticises "traitors," referring to rebel MLAs.
Dussehra Rallies Hold Key Place In Shiv Sena
Dussehra rallies have been a key tradition for the Shiv Sena since the 1960s. The event was originally led by party founder Bal Thackeray at Shivaji Park.
After the party split in 2022, the Uddhav-led faction continues to hold its rally at Shivaji Park, while Shinde's faction has shifted to Azad Maidan.
"Balasaheb Thackeray established Shiv Sena. Since then, we have held our 'Dussehra mela' every year for almost 55 years. Balasaheb used to say, ‘come and get golden thoughts’ for the mela. Now, Uddhav Thackeray is following his footsteps and taking the party forward," Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Arvind Sawant told PTI.
Shiv Sena leader Manisha Kayande, also referred to Balasaheb Thackeray, said that "Dussehra Melawa" is a big day for Shiv Sena workers. "This is not a new thing, it has been going on for the last 58 years. Earlier, Balasaheb Thackeray used to address workers and share his thoughts with them. Workers not just from Maharashtra, but from all over the country used to come in huge numbers,” she said.
The rallies come just weeks before state elections, with the current assembly's term ending on November 26.