Mumbai: In a big win for Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena on Friday, Bombay High Court granted permission to organise a Dussehra rally at Mumbai’s iconic Shivaji Park. The court rejected the plea of Eknath Shinde camp saying that dispute over claim to the party was settled. The move of the Bombay High Court is being considered as a big blow for CM Eknath Shinde camp as it had requested the court to allow it to hold the rally.
Earlier, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) had rejected separate applications of Uddhav Thackeray camp and Eknath Shinde camp to hold the rally at Shivaji Park. The BMC had rejected their applications on the basis of law and order concerns raised by Mumbai Police. Challenging this, Thackeray camp had moved the court and Shinde faction made an intervention plea.
A Shinde group MLA, while arguing about the case, had said that the petitioners (Thackeray-led Shiv Sena) were trying to lay claim on the party. He said that he had also filed an application with the BMC seeking permission to hold the Shiv Sena’s annual Dussehra rally at the Shivaji Park in central Mumbai.
Uddhav Thackeray, while reacting over the decision, said, “Our faith in judiciary vindicated, says Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray on HC allowing Dussehra rally at Mumbai’s Shivaji Park.”
The MLAs of CM Eknath Shinde faction, after parting their way from Shiv Sena, have named their group ‘Shiv Sena Balasaheb’. According to sources, Shinde camp’s motive behind involving Balasaheb Thackeray’s name was to evoke the emotions of the Shiv Sainiks and pull them to his side. The faction has been claiming that they are the real Shiv Sainiks as they have maximum support of MLAs and MPs. The matter is also subjudice at the Supreme Court.