Citing law and order situation, the BMC on Wednesday denied permission to both the factions of the Shiv Sena to hold the party's annual Dussehra rally at Shivaji Park on October 5. In letters sent to the representatives of both the factions, the G North ward office of the BMC has said that while permission to hold the rally was sought by the two opposing factions, it will not be possible for the local civic authorities to bifurcate the ground into two and therefore, as a precautionary measure, both factions are denied permission. BMC commissioner Iqbal Singh Chahal confirmed this to The Indian Express on Thursday. "The local police station, in a report submitted to the BMC, has said that if one of the faction is given permission for the rally, there could be a possibility of a political clash between the two camps on the day of the rally. Therefore, as a precautionary measure, permission to both the factions have been denied," said a civic official. As per BMC, in case of a big event, the concerned ward office seeks inputs from the police for safety reasons. “There is already tension in Dadar owing to a gun-firing incident reported on September 9. The local police doesn't want to risk the law and order situation,” said an official. "Now that the police have submitted a report, there is no requirement of legal intervention from the BMC law department and allotting the ground for Dussehra rally to any of the political groups stands cancelled," the official added. Both Sena factions have sought permission to hold the rally at Shivaji Park. Both factions, as an alternative, have also applied for permission to hold the rally at the MMRDA ground at BKC. Last week, the Shinde faction had got the nod for holding a rally at BKC. However, the Shinde faction said that its first preference is still Shivaji Park. The Thackeray faction on Thursday maintained that it would hold the rally at Shivaji Park itself on October 5. “We have been organising the rally at Shivaji Park since 1966 and have complied with all conditions. and there has been no issue of law and order in any of the rallies held so far. Shiv Sena's Dussehra rally will be held at Shivaji Park only, as we will get permission from the HC. We have faith in the court,” Sena leader Anil Parab said. He also questioned BMC for denying permission due to the fear of physical violence from both factions. “If a law and order situation can arise in Dadar, it can also arise in Bandra since Matoshree (residence of Uddhav Thackeray) is at a very close proximity of the BKC venue. How come the Shinde faction got the permission,” he asked. The Shinde faction, meanwhile, blamed the Thackeray camp for BMC's decision. Kiran Pawaskar, spokesperson of the Shinde camp, said that provocative statements made by Sena leaders was the primary reason why permission was denied to both the factions. ".Had they not made such statements, one of the factions would have got permission. but because of provocative statements, no one will get the ground now. The way Uddhav Thackeray and his party leaders have behaved is the reason why BMC has decided not to allow the rally at Shivaji park," Pawaskar added.
