As the Maharashtra Assembly elections draw near, all eyes are on the Shiv Sena’s traditional Dussehra gathering, a long-standing celebration that has now become a battleground for the two factions of the party: the Thackeray faction and the Shinde faction. Following the split led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, the question of who will dominate this year’s Dussehra celebrations looms large, with the Shinde faction’s choice of venue stirring considerable debate.
According to sources from TV9 Marathi, the Shiv Sena’s Shinde faction has officially decided to hold its Dussehra gathering at the Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) this year. After exploring various locations, including Azad Maidan, the BKC has been finalized as the venue. The gathering is expected to accommodate over 40,000 attendees, with preparations set to commence once the Pitrupaksha period concludes.
This year’s event is being planned under the theme of “Saheb’s story of Hindutva,” aiming to resonate with the faction’s ideological base. Meanwhile, the Thackeray faction is set to continue the legacy of celebrating Dussehra at Dadar’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Park, further fueling the rivalry between the two groups.
Amidst these developments, Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut has openly criticized the Shinde group’s decision to hold their Dussehra gathering in Mumbai. He suggested that Eknath Shinde should instead consider hosting the event in Surat, which he claims is more appropriate since it is where the Shiv Sena was founded. Raut remarked, “Your Dussehra rally venue is Surat, where his Shiv Sena was born. They could have a Dussehra gathering in front of the Kamakhya temple or at the hotel where they were staying. Surat is the best option, as his party was born in Surat.”
The growing tensions between the two factions reflect not only a power struggle but also a significant moment in Maharashtra’s political landscape. The choice of venue for the Dussehra gathering underscores the ongoing contest for identity and loyalty within the Shiv Sena, as both groups strive to assert their dominance ahead of the upcoming elections.
As the date approaches, the implications of this Dussehra gathering extend beyond mere festivities; they serve as a critical indicator of party strength and influence in the state, with both factions vying for the hearts and minds of Maharashtra’s electorate.