Lok Sabha elections 2024: Sena vs Sena show of strength on the streets

SoBo neighbourhoods brace for chaos today as both factions of Shiv Sena plan marches for filing of nominations; cops say traffic, security arrangements made

It will be an INDIA-Mahayuti showdown on the streets of South Mumbai on Monday as candidates from both alliances are expected to file their nominations. From Colaba’s Balasaheb Thackeray memorial near Regal Cinema, Shiv Sena (UBT) will be conducting a rally in support of two of their candidates Arvind Sawant—contesting from Mumbai South—and Anil Desai, who is contesting from South Central. The rally, which will begin at around 12 pm, will end at the Collector’s office, Old Custom House. 

Pramod Shidne, Sena (UBT) vibhag pramukh in South Central, said, “There will be leaders from our allies and their party cadre as well.” Pramod Bhovte, senior inspector, Colaba police station, said they are expecting around 1,500 to 2,000 people. “We will be deciding on the required manpower by the end of the day on Sunday,” he said. There will be a chariot led by Aaditya Thackeray along with the two candidates.

Rahul Shewale campaigning

On the other side, there are a number of popular Mahayuti leaders, including Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, RPI leader Ramdas Athawale, and Ashish Shelar, who will be leading the chariot from GPO to the Collector’s office around 11.30 am, along with Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) South Central candidate Rahul Shewale.

“We are expecting people from our constituency to be there in traditional attire, which includes communities from Gaothan Koliwada as well as Punjabi and South Indian communities,” said Shewale’s campaign spokesperson.

Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate Anil Desai

The Mahayuti has not yet declared their candidate from the Mumbai South constituency, even as May 3 is the last date to file nominations, and less than a month remains for elections.

Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Pradnya Jedge said, “We will be diverting traffic as needed. At Regal, we will be diverting traffic towards the high court side, and from GPO, we will be diverting the traffic towards CST and then to the high court. All of it will be strictly on a need basis.”

Shiv Sena Shinde faction candidate Rahul Shewale

DCP Zone-I, Pravin Mundhe said they have ensured that the two alliances come from opposite directions—one northbound and the other southbound. “No more than three vehicles will be allowed up to 100 m from the collector office,” he said. Mudhe further said that there will be more than 300 police personnel in the area today. “We have also deployed riot control teams. So, from our end we are taking all the required precautions,” he said.

12 pm
Shiv Sena (UBT) rally begins from Regal Cinema

11.30 am
Mahayuti rally begins from GPO

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