Mumbai’s Dussehra Battle: Shinde, Uddhav Ready for High-Stakes Rallies

In a bid to showcase their political strength ahead of the upcoming Maharashtra assembly elections, both Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena and Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena (UBT) will hold Dussehra rallies in Mumbai on Saturday. Shinde’s faction will gather at Azad Maidan in south Mumbai, while the Uddhav-led Shiv Sena (UBT) will rally at the iconic Shivaji Park in Dadar.

Shinde vs Thackeray: Dussehra Rallies as Power Play

Despite heavy rains on Thursday night, which left both rally venues muddy, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut confirmed that their event would proceed as planned. Shinde’s faction anticipates a turnout of around 2 lakh supporters at Azad Maidan, with 3,000 private buses booked to transport attendees.

Both factions have also launched teasers to drum up support. Shinde’s teaser depicts a tiger, symbolizing the Sena, being freed from Congress ties, with Shinde cutting the rope. Meanwhile, Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena (UBT) teaser emphasizes defending Maharashtra’s pride while calling out “traitors”—a reference to rebel MLAs. At his rally, Thackeray is expected to criticize the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), accusing it of dividing the Shiv Sena.

Historic Dussehra Rallies Amid Polls

The Dussehra rallies are a significant tradition for the Shiv Sena, dating back to the 1960s when party founder Bal Thackeray led them at Shivaji Park. Following the party’s split in 2022, Uddhav’s faction has continued to hold the rally at Shivaji Park, while Shinde’s group has moved their event to Azad Maidan.

The rallies are happening just weeks before the Maharashtra assembly elections, with the current term of the assembly set to end on November 26.