Mumbai, October 12: In a dramatic display of political rivalry, the Shiv Sena factions led by Uddhav Thackeray and Chief Minister Eknath Shinde are both set to hold separate Dussehra rallies in Maharashtra today, signaling a show of strength ahead of the upcoming state assembly elections.
Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena (UBT) faction will host its rally at the iconic Shivaji Park in Mumbai, a venue long associated with the party’s legacy, while Eknath Shinde's faction will gather at Azad Maidan. The dual rallies highlight the intensifying power struggle between the two factions of the once-unified Shiv Sena.
Sanjay Raut, a leader from Thackeray's camp, emphasized the historical significance of their Dussehra rally, stating, "For over 50 years, the Shiv Sena’s Dussehra rally has been more important in Maharashtra." Raut criticized the Shinde-led faction as a "duplicate" Shiv Sena, alleging that the original party symbol, the bow and arrow, was "stolen" by Modi and Shah, but affirmed that their current symbol, the Mashal (flame), embodies both fire and light.
Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Anand Dubey echoed this sentiment, accusing the Shinde faction of backstabbing Maharashtra and serving the interests of Delhi. He confidently predicted that shortly, only the "real" Shiv Sena would remain.
Meanwhile, Sanjay Nirupam, a leader from the Eknath Shinde camp, targeted Uddhav Thackeray for abandoning Hindutva by allying with Congress. Nirupam asserted that the true essence of Balasaheb Thackeray's vision for Hindutva would be upheld at the Azad Maidan rally, where Eknath Shinde would address the crowd and criticize the Congress's policies.
The rallies are expected to draw massive crowds, with both factions vying for the support of Shiv Sainiks and the larger electorate in a bid to demonstrate their influence just months before the state goes to the polls.
