Rival Shiv Sena factions led by Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde are holding separate Dussehra rallies in Mumbai on Tuesday, setting the stage for competing political messages and renewed claims over the legacy of Balasaheb Thackeray.
The Shiv Sena (UBT) rally will take place at Shivaji Park in Dadar, while the Shinde-led Shiv Sena has organised its gathering at the NESCO Centre in Goregaon. The annual rallies, a longstanding feature of Maharashtra politics, have taken on greater political significance since the party split in 2022. Both factions continue to assert their connection to the party founded by Balasaheb Thackeray.
Two rallies, competing political messages
The Uddhav Thackeray-led faction has released social media teasers to mobilise supporters for its annual gathering at Shivaji Park. The rally is expected to focus on the state and central governments, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), alleged irregularities in electoral rolls during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR), law and order, and police action against protesting students.
The Shinde-led faction, meanwhile, is expected to highlight the Mahayuti government’s work and its approach to public welfare and development. The two gatherings will provide platforms for the rival leaderships to present their positions and address party workers.
Shinde urges workers to help drought-hit families
Amid drought conditions in parts of Maharashtra, Shinde has urged party workers to focus on assisting affected farming families rather than travelling to Mumbai for the rally.
His faction has linked its Dussehra gathering to relief efforts for drought-hit households. The party has announced plans to distribute assistance, including ration kits, to families affected by the drought.
Uddhav likely to target ruling coalition
Thackeray is expected to sharpen his criticism of the ruling coalition, with electoral processes and governance likely to feature prominently in his address.
Speaking at the Mumbai Press Club on Saturday, he said, “Yes, we want to overthrow this regime achieved through vote theft; we stand for regime change.”
His remarks referred to allegations concerning electoral processes. The ruling side’s response and the arguments presented by both factions are likely to feature in the broader political exchanges surrounding the rallies.
Shiv Sena legacy remains central to contest
The annual Dussehra gathering was established under Balasaheb Thackeray’s leadership, with the first rally held at Shivaji Park in 1966. The tradition has remained an important event for the party and its supporters.
Since the 2022 split, the rival factions have used their separate rallies to reinforce their organisational identities and claim continuity with the party’s history. This year’s gatherings are expected to centre on governance, electoral integrity, welfare measures and the future direction of Maharashtra politics.
(With inputs from IANS)
