Four parties want Shivaji Park for Nov 17 rally

Mumbai: All roads lead to Shivaji Park this election season. With the assembly elections on Nov 20 and the campaign ending on Nov 18 at 5 pm according to the model code of conduct, Dadar's iconic ground is in high demand for a rally on Nov 17. Four parties — the Shiv Sena, Sena (UBT), BJP and MNS — have made applications to the BMC to host rallies that day. The MNS has claimed that since it applied first, it must be given permission.
Senior civic officials said that the BMC has received the four applications."We will send the requests to the state urban development department and the Election Commission (EC). Further action will be taken based on the decision made by them," said an official.
In 2022 and 2023, both Sena (UBT) and Shinde Sena had applied to hold their Dussehra rally. In 2022, the BMC rejected permissions for both factions, and eventually, the Bombay high court quashed the BMC's order and allowed the Uddhav-led Shiv Sena to hold its rally at Shivaji Park. The HC had then observed that the BMC misused its powers in deciding the application of petitioners.
In 2023, the Sena led by CM Eknath Shinde pulled out of the battle with the Sena (UBT) to hold the party's annual Dussehra rally at Shivaji Park. This year, the Sena led by Shinde didn't apply for Shivaji Park for its Dussehra rally and instead held it at Azad Maidan in South Mumbai.
In March this year, the INDIA bloc held its rally at Shivaji Park ahead of Lok Sabha polls. MNS candidates were not contesting the LS elections but the party got permission for Shivaji Park for a rally on 17 May, the last day of the campaign in Mumbai, and with MNS supporting PM Modi, the Mahayuti held its rally there with PM Modi speaking.