MUMBAI: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has declined permission to the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena as well as the party faction led by CM Shinde for holding the annual Dussehra rally at Shivaji Park in Mumbai on October 5, citing law and order issues.
“As per the procedure, the BMC has to seek the local police report before allowing the rally at Shivaji Park. The police report has cited law and order problems in case only one faction is allowed. Therefore, the civic body has decided to cancel the permission,” stated the BMC letter.
Another BMC official said it was not possible to divide the ground and allow both factions to hold the rally. “Therefore, BMC has declined permission to both camps as a precautionary measure,” he said. The local police station in a report submitted to the BMC stated that if one faction is allowed, then there could be a possibility of a political clash on the day of the rally.
Dadar has been a sensitive zone since the Shinde faction MLA Sada Sarvankar opened fire in a police station and threatened Shiv Sena workers. The Dussehra rally is the most important event held by the Shiv Sena ever since the party’s formation in 1966. The rally is held at the Shivaji Park ground since this area is in close proximity to the Shiv Sena Bhavan and is known as the party bastion.
This year, while the Thackerays have moved the Bombay High Court for permission, the Shinde group last week received permission to hold its rally at the Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC). Shiv Sena Lok sabha MP Arvind Sawant said if the Shinde faction had the permission for the rally at BKC, then the Uddhav faction should be allowed the Shivaji Park venue. “We are firm on addressing the traditional Dussehra rally at Shivaji Park,” Sawant said.