Shiv Sena's Dussehra rally at Azad Maidan will be historic, more than two lakh people to attend: Naresh Mhaske

Pic/Atul Kamble

Ahead of the Dussehra rally at Azad Maidan, the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena on Monday said the rally is going to be a historic one. More than two lakh Shiv Sainiks from across Maharashtra are reportedly set to attend the Rally.

The ruling Shiv Sena and its rival group led by former Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray are holding their Dussehra rallies at Azad Maidan (South Mumbai) and Shivaji Park in Central Mumbai's Dadar, respectively, where police personnel will be deployed in strength.

"Shiv Sena's historic Dussehra rally will be held in Azad Maidan for the first time in the history. More than two lakh Shiv Sainiks from all over Maharashtra will attend the rally. This Dussehra rally will repeat the tradition of late Balasaheb Thackeray," Shiv Sena spokesperson and Maharashtra region coordinator Naresh Mhaske said.

While sharing information about the Dussehra rally, Naresh Mhaske said more than 5,200 buses will come from all over Maharashtra and 8,000 to 10,000 small vehicles will come for the rally.

"Similarly, two special trains have been arranged to bring Shiv Sainiks from Vidarbha for this gathering. Also, most of the people will come by train from the area near Nagpur. Tea and refreshments have been arranged at Vashi, Mulund, Padgha, and Dahisar Check Naka for people coming from outside Mumbai for the Dussehra rally. The same arrangement has been made at Azad Maidan," Mhaske said.

He further said that Shiv Sainiks arriving from Konkan will get down at Ballard Estate and park at GRP Commissioner's Office Road, Kanark Bandar. Shiv Sainiks coming from Mumbai-Thane will get off at Ballard Estate and parking is arranged at Cotton Green for them. People coming from Western Maharashtra will alight at Horniman Circle, while parking is provided for those buses at Bhaucha Dhakka. People coming from Marathwada and Vidarbha will alight at Gate 11 and parking is provided for those buses at Sewri BPT parking area. For small four-wheelers, there will be parking at Vidhan Bhavan, NCPA, and Manora MLA Niwas for vehicles coming from Mumbai-Thane and Konkan and pickup and drop will be available near the statue of Babasaheb Ambedkar in Colaba.

"Fifty doctors will be at Azad Maidan for medical facilities during the rally. Along with cardiac ambulances, regular ambulances have been arranged. Similarly, arrangements have been made for the fire brigade. Shiv Sainiks are allowed to enter Azad Maidan for the rally from Gate No. 1, 2, and 3 in front of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) headquarters and Gate No. 4 in front of Metro Cinema. While VIP persons will be given entry from Gate No. 5," he added.

Naresh Mhaske also said that Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has appealed to all Shiv Sainiks to participate in the rally in a peaceful and disciplined way.