Shivaji Park for Dusshera rally: Sena files second application before BMC

Chief Minister Eknath Shinde-led faction had submitted two applications in BMC’s G North ward office in the first week of August — the first on August 1 followed by another on August 7, the UBT Sena faction filed its first application for the Shivaji Park on August 7.

Civic officials from G/North ward, under whose jurisdiction the Shivaji Park falls, said that first letter requesting permission to hold rally had come from Sena’s Shinde faction MLA Sada Sarvankar’s office, while the second request letter came from the Sena UBT’s Vibhag pramukh, Mahesh Sawant.

“No decision is yet taken on granting the permission. The request letters are still with the ward itself and if required will be presented before the deputy municipal commissioner of Zone – 2 for an opinion. Last year, as the firing incident took place before the rally, we had taken an opinion from the police with regards to law and order situation. This year however the same may not be done,” a senior civic official said.

The officer was referring to the incident when in September, 2022 Sarvankar was accused of firing a revolver outside the Dadar police station premises during a clash between workers from two Sena factions.

The official added, “Also, the Ganpati festivals just got over and we are taking a few days time after which we will start issuing permission related to Navratri and Dussehra get together and celebrations.”

The Dussehra rally has been one of the most important annual events for Sena since it was founded in 1966, and the Shivaji Park ground has been its traditional venue. However, after the Sena split last year, both factions were at loggerheads over the Shivaji Park venue for the Dussehra rally.

Both factions had filed applications with BMC to get the permission to hold their rallies, but the civic body had rejected both applications. Sena UBT had then approached Bombay High Court over the rejection of their application, following which, the court quashed BMC’s order and allowed them to hold the event at Shivaji Park on October 5. Thereupon, Shinde-Sena held its Dussehra rally at MMRDA ground in BKC.