The Uddhav Thckeray-led Shiv Sena has been granted permission to organise a Dussehra rally at Mumbai’s iconic Shivaji Park. The court rejected the Shinde faction’s request to not decide on the petition until the dispute over the claim to the party was settled.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation had earlier denied permission to the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena as well as Eknath Shinde’s faction to hold a Dussehra rally at the iconic Shivaji Park on the basis of law and order concerns raised by the Mumbai Police. The Thackeray faction challenged the BMC decision, to which the Shinde faction made an intervention plea.
The BMC order was a “clear abuse of the process of law and bona fide,” said the court.
Dadar MLA Sada Sarvankar, part of the Shinde faction, had agued that under the garb of the present petition, the petitioners (Thackeray-led Shiv Sena) were trying to lay claim on the party.
The Thackeray-led Shiv Sena welcomed the decision, saying its faith in the judiciary was vindicated. Party spokesperson Manisha Kayande said this year’s rally will be grand.
She claimed there must have been some pressure on the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), which had denied the permission.
Mr. Thackeray went on to say that, whatever happens, he will hold a Dussehra rally at Shivaji Park.
“Shiv Sena’s Dussehra rally will be held at Shivaji Park in Mumbai. Shiv Sainiks from all over the state will come for this rally. We do not know about these technical things, whether the government will give permission or not. We will hold the rally. It doesn’t matter to us whether others will hold rallies or not. Mr. Thackeray had said to his party’s workers. He is expected to give a big speech on the developments in Maharashtra at the rally, to be held on October 5.
The rebel camp, led by Maharashtra Chief Minister Shinde, already has permission for the rally at the Bandra Kurla Complex Ground.
