Mumbai: Shiv Sena UBT gets BMC nod for Dussehra rally at Shivaji Park

Uddhav Thackeray at the Dussehra rally at Shivaji Park last year. Pic/Rane Ashish

The BMC has permitted Shiv Sena UBT to organise its Dussehra rally at Shivaji Park on October 24. Both factions of Sena applied for the same venue this year, but Shinde faction withdrew its claim and BMC officials gave permission to Sena UBT. Last year, the UBT group approached the high court for permission after it was denied by the BMC.

Uddhav Thackeray's move to organise the Dussehra rally at Shivaji Park got embroiled in a controversy when both factions of the Shiv Sena applied to the BMC seeking permission for the event. A month after Shiv Sena UBT had applied to the G North ward office, the BMC has given permission to the party to organise the Dussehra rally. "We have given permission to Sena UBT faction for the rally at Shivaji Park," said an official from the BMC on the condition of anonymity.

Guardian minister of the city and member of Shinde faction, Deepak Kesarkar had hinted a few days ago that they would withdraw their claim to organise the Dussehra rally at Shivaji Park. Subsequently Chief Minister Eknath Shinde announced the decision to withdraw the claim and instead arrange it at Azad Maidan or Cross Maidan in South Mumbai.

Also read: Dussehra rally: Have your Shivaji Park, CM's faction tells Uddhav Sena

Last year, after BMC denied permission to both groups, the UBT group approached the High court. The high court had granted permission to UBT Sena. Though his party has been split by rebellion led by Shinde, Uddhav aims to carry on the tradition of organising the Dussehra rally at Shivaji Park started by the party founder and his father Bal Thackeray.

October 24
Day Sena UBT will organise the Dussehra rally this year