Shiv Sena factions fight over Shivaji Park for Dussehra rally

The historic Shivaji Park in Mumbai's Dadar has once again become the bone of contention between the two warring factions of the Shiv Sena, the saffron party which was founded by late Balasaheb Thackeray 58 years ago.

The Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) and the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena have applied for Shivtirth (Shivaji Park) as the venue for the annual Dussehra rally slated for October 24.

However, the BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is yet to take a call to whom to alot it. 

Incidentally, the BMC - in absence of a general body - functions under the Urban Development Department, which is headed by Shinde, the Chief Minister. 

Veteran Shiv Sena leader and MLA Sada Sarvankar has applied for the venue on behalf of the Shinde faction and senior leader Mahesh Sawant has applied for Shiv Sena (UBT) for their respective Vijaya Dashami rallies. 

The BMC has sent the applications to the legal department for its opinion.

In fact, what is happening in 2023 is a repeat of 2022 - when both sides wanted the same venue.

However, on October 5, 2022, Dussehra day, while Thackeray addressed the rally at Shivaji Park, Shinde addressed  the rally from the MMRDA Ground at Bandra-Kurla Complex.

The Shivaji Park is a matter of prestige for the Shiv Sena - and the annual Dussehra rally is an important event for the party. 

Balasaheb founded the Shiv Sena on June 19, 1966 and addressed the  first-ever Dussehra rally at Shivaji Park on October 30, 1966.  

When he launched the party, the welfare of Marathi-manoos was the top priority and subsequently they also adopted the cause of Hindutva. 

Shivaji Park rally was an unbroken record for Balasaheb except for two occasions – in 2006 when because of heavy rains it was not possible and in 2009 because of Vidhan Sabha polls.

A day after Balasaheb died on November 17, 2012, his last rites were performed at Shivaji Park. 

After his death,  Uddhav had been addressing the rallies at Shivaji Park. 

In 2020, Uddhav addressed the rally virtually while in 2021, it was held at the Shanmukhananda Hall at King’s Circle, because of the Covid-19 pandemic and the resultant lockdown and restrictions.

Shinde led the rebellion on June 20, 2022, which led to the split in the Shiv Sena. 

It may be mentioned that this year the situation is different. 

On February 17, 2023, the Election Commission had legitimised  Shinde-faction as real Shiv Sena and allotted the  bow and arrow symbol to them. In May 11, the Supreme Court observed that Thackeray's position as chief minister cannot be restored as he had resigned before the floor test.  

As of now, the cross disqualification petitions filed by the MLAs from both the sides are pending before the Speaker.