Sena Showdown: Both Factions Gear Up for Dussehra Melava in Mumbai

Last year, both factions clashed over the location for the Dussehra event.

Mumbai

Mumbai will witness the hosting of two Shiv Sena Dussehra rallies tonight again this year. Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde will address from Azad Maidan in South Mumbai; whereas former CM Uddhav Thackeray will show his strength at Shivaji Park in Dadar.

Both factions are trying to come up as the true inheritors of the late Sena founder Bal Thackeray's legacy. This rivalry is evident through posters and teasers, each positioning their rally as the real Dussehra celebration in line with Bal Thackeray's beliefs.

Adding to the situation, both factions have projected that about 100,000 people will arrive at their rallies. In the run-up to the rallies, the tension between the two groups escalated. A preview for the Sena (UBT) rally, led by Uddhav Thackeray, was released on Sunday, October 22, where the Shinde-led Sena was referred to as "traitors."

On the other hand, MP Sanjay Raut termed the Dussehra demonstration organised by the Shinde faction "Chinese material."

The rivalry isn't limited to just words; both factions have taken to the streets with banners and displays around the city. The Shinde-led Sena has displayed banners throughout Mumbai, while Sena (UBT) operatives have strategically placed banners in Dadar, emphasising the battle for territorial influence.

This isn't the first time Mumbai has witnessed two Dussehra rallies by the Sena. The split within the party occurred last year. It led to the division of the event for the second consecutive year.

Last year, both factions clashed over the location for the Dussehra event. Both sides submitted the requests to the BMC. However, the Bombay High Court resolved the dispute by permitting the Shiv Sena (UBT) to hold its event at Shivaji Park, while the Shinde-led Sena hosted its rally at the MMRDA venue in Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC).

The Dussehra Melava holds particular significance for the Shiv Sena, which has been consistently gathering at Shivaji Park, also known as Shiv Tirth, for many years. This tradition has been deeply rooted in the party's history since its establishment as a political entity in 1966.