Mumbai is all set to witness a show of strength by both factions of the Shiv Sena on Wednesday, with two massive Dussehra rallies being taken out in the city. The Uddhav Thackeray-led Sena is preparing to hold the rally at Shivaji Park, while the faction led by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde is set to hold the rally at Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) grounds in the Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC).
Massive security
Anticipating huge turnouts at both venues, the Mumbai Police has put in place tight security arrangements. More than 5,000 buses, a number of small tourist vehicles and cars, and a special train have been roped in to ferry supporters of the two rival Shiv Sena factions for their respective Dussehra rallies, according to reports.
A senior Mumbai Police officer said 3,200 officers,15,200 police personnel, 1,500 personnel of the State Reserve Police Force (SRPF), 1,000 jawans of Homeguard, 20 Quick Response Teams (QRTs), 15 Bomb Detection and Disposal Squads (BDDS) are deployed for the two rallies. Officials also said that security at prominent beaches including Juhu, Versova, Dadar, and Girgaon is beefed up for Goddess Durga's idol immersion processions.
The Mumbai traffic police have also made extensive arrangements to park buses and other vehicles ferrying workers to these rallies.
The historic Shivaji Park is a venue closely associated with the Sena since its inception in 1966. The same year, the venue was chosen by the party's founder Bal Thackeray to host the Sena's first Dussehra rally. The Dussehra rally is being held in Mumbai after a gap of two years in the wake of the pandemic.
As both factions try to project themselves as the 'real Shiv Sena' which will take forward the legacy of Bal Thackery, Wednesday's developments are being keenly watched in political circles.
After a bitter legal battle, the Bombay High Court had granted the Thackeray-faction permission to conduct the rally at Shivaji Park.
-with PTI inputs
