If situation not conducive for large gathering, govt can deny nod for MVA rally, says minister

Mahajan told mediapersons on Friday, “Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Dy CM Devendra Fadnavis, who is also the Home minister, are closely monitoring developments in Sambhaji Nagar city. If the state government is informed that the situation is not conducive for a large gathering by the police and intelligence departments, it can intervene and will deny permission for the rally. Based on reports, a decision will be taken.”

Stones were pelted and several vehicles torched when two groups clashed at Kiradpura in Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar early Thursday, leading to the death of one person. Seven persons have been arrested.

The MVA, meanwhile, said nothing will stop the Opposition from holding the rally. State Congress chief spokesperson Atul Londhe said, “We want to clarify one thing to him (Mahajan). We are going to hold the rally at Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar. The BJP and its leaders should not use the administration to hide. All three parties will hold the rally as announced earlier. Come and try to stop us.”

“We want to warn Mahajan and the state government that nobody should try to suppress the Opposition’s voice,” he added.

Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly, NCP’s Ajit Pawar, assured that nobody from the Opposition will make any provocative speech at the rally. “I appeal to all to maintain peace. The Opposition stands with the administration in maintaining law and order,” he said.

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut said the rally will not be cancelled. “Pressure will be put on the administration and terms and conditions would be imposed on the rally. But we are fighting to save democracy and we will present our thoughts… No one can stop us from holding the rally. There is no tension in the city… it is being created to prevent us from holding the rally. The government is scared.”

Earlier in the day, Raut said that the clash in Sambhaji Nagar was state-sponsored and that attempts are being made by the government to stop MVA from holding its rally. “We have information that no one from the two groups wanted violence… But the government wanted violence. It supported those who resorted to violence. It did not act against those who resorted to violence. The city saw state-sponsored violence,” he alleged.