Uddhav Thackeray faction of Shiv Sena moves Bombay High Court for permission to hold Dussehra rally

Uddhav Thackeray-led faction has moved Bombay High Court seeking directions to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to allow the party to hold its annual Dussehra rally at Shivaji Park in Dadar, Mumbai..The petition filed through Advocate Joel Carlos was mentioned before a bench of Justices RD Dhanuka and Kamal Khata which agreed to list the matter for urgent hearing tomorrow..The petition stated that Shiv Sena had been conducting its Dussehra Melawa (Rally) at the Shivaji Park since 1966. In 2016, the BMC commissioner had been directed to allow holding of the Dussehra rally at Shivaji Park, and accordingly, permission was granted till 2019.The rally was not held in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The plea pointed out that in 2022, as is procedure, the party applied to BMC on August 26, 2022 for permission to hold the rally on October 5, 2022, however the same has not yet been granted despite lapse of more than a month. This compelled the petitioner to approach High Court for appropriate directions. .The plea contended that party workers and leaders throughout the State of Maharashtra as well as the country arrived at Shivaji Park without any invitation or announcement.They also pointed out that while granting permission, the party also submitted an undertaking of compliance with various provisions of law. "That never had there been any violation of conditions or any disruption of law and order situation on account of the Dussehra Melawa (Rally) which is organised in a disciplined manner by the petitioner party workers," the plea highlighted. .In light of this, the petitioners have prayed for the High Court to immediately direct BMC to grant permission to the party to hold their annual rally on October 5 from 5 pm to 10 pm within 3 days..The two factions of Shiv Sena, one led by former Chief Minister Thackeray and other led by present Chief Minister Eknath Shinde had been competing to hold the rally at Shivaji Park. Both factions, also reportedly, applied for a spot at Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) exhibition grounds as a back up plan, which Shinde faction has received.