Sena vs Sena Dussehra rally showdown in Mumbai ahead of assembly polls

Maharashtra gears up for a "Super Saturday" of Dussehra rallies on Saturday, with political heavyweights Uddhav Thackeray, Eknath Shinde, Mohan Bhagwat, and others all set for their mega events.

In Short

• Rival Shiv Sena factions to hold key rallies in Mumbai on Saturday
• RSS to hold its Dussehra rally in Nagpur, Mohan Bhagwat to address event
• BJP's Pankaja Munde, her cousin Dhananjay to reunite for a joint event

As Maharashtra gears up for the upcoming Assembly elections, the state is witnessing a surge in political activity, with key leaders preparing for a "Super Saturday" of Dussehra rallies on October 12.

The tenth day of the Navaratri festival, Dussehra (Vijay Dashami) is regarded as an auspicious occasion in Maharashtra for commencing important undertakings and will be used by political parties to display their strength and mobilise support ahead of the polls.

This Saturday promises a series of high-stakes rallies across the state. The prominent players include Uddhav Thackeray's faction of Shiv Sena at Shivaji Park, Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena at Azad Maidan, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in Nagpur, Pankaja Munde at Bhagwan Gad, and Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange Patil in Beed.

SENA VS SENA

The most anticipated political showdown is between the two rival factions of the Shiv Sena — Uddhav Thackeray’s faction (UBT) and Eknath Shinde's Sena.

Both factions have been vying to claim the legacy of the late Shiv Sena supremo, Bal Thackeray. Video teasers from both sides have already set the tone for a fierce confrontation.

Uddhav camp has made an emotional appeal to voters, urging them to protect Maharashtra's loyalty and tradition, while promising to showcase the "real Shiv Sena" in the Assembly polls, riding on the momentum of their recent strong performance in the Lok Sabha elections.

On the other hand, Shinde's faction is promoting their commitment to Hindutva, as propagated by Bal Thackeray and the late Dharmaveer Anand Dighe.

While the Shiv Sena (UBT) will hold its rally at the historic Shivaji Park in Dadar, Shinde will address his faction at Azad Maidan in south Mumbai. Both factions will begin their rallies at around 5 pm.

Tensions escalated when Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut mockingly suggested that Shinde faction should hold their rally in Ahmedabad, implying they have deviated from their roots. In response, former Shinde Sena MP Rahul Shewale fired back, accusing the Uddhav camp of compromising their Hindutva ideology by aligning with Congress.

The heated exchange extended further with BJP leader Pravin Darekar, who suggested that Shiv Sena (UBT) should move their rally to Bhendi Bazar or Malegaon, accusing them of engaging in minority appeasement.

THE RSS SHOWDOWN

Dussehra holds special significance for the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) as it marks the organisation's foundation day, making it the most important of the six festivals the group celebrates. The RSS Dusshera event will start at 7.35 am in Nagpur's Reshimbagh ground.

The RSS, which is the ideological parent of the BJP, plays a key role in mobilising grassroots support for the party, particularly during elections. A recent example of this influence was seen in the BJP's strong performance in the Haryana Assembly elections, where the RSS's groundwork contributed to the party's success.

The RSS is also preparing for its traditional Dussehra rally in Nagpur which will be attended by the group's chief Mohan Bhagwat, along with Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. The event will serve as a platform for the BJP to rally its ideological base ahead of the elections.

OTHER RALLIES

Adding to the charged atmosphere is the presence of Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange Patil, who has called for unity among farmers and the Maratha community in a rally at Narayangad in Beed district on Saturday.

Jarange Patil, who gained prominence after his hunger strike demanding Maratha reservation, has put the Mahayuti alliance on alert, as his potential involvement in the upcoming elections could shift the political dynamics.

Jarange Patil, who recently extended his support to Sharad Pawar's faction in Baramati, is gearing up to intensify his push for the inclusion of all Marathas under the OBC category to secure reservation benefits at his Dussehra rally on Saturday.

Another key event to watch on Saturday is the rare reunion of estranged cousins Pankaja Munde (BJP) and Dhananjay Munde (Ajit Pawar faction) at Bhagwan Gad, where they are set to hold a joint rally. This gathering, symbolising OBC unity, will be viewed as a show of strength from the Mahayuti alliance in response to Jarange Patil's Maratha rally.