Shiv Sena leaders on Wednesday exhorted party workers to show their strength during its Dussehra rally on October 19 and bring the party to power on its own in the Lok Sabha elections next year. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), however, said it was optimistic of forging an alliance with the Shiv Sena until the end.

Sena leaders and functionaries met at Shiv Sena Bhavan at Dadar Wednesday to plan the strategy over the Dussehra rally. Industries Minister Subhash Desai and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut addressed party cadres. Desai asked Shiv Sainiks to prepare for a "big show of strength" and said at least five lakh Shiv Sainiks must attend the traditional Dussehra rally. "We must come to power on our own strength. The next chief minister should be from Sena.