The Shiv Sena has decided to cancel its foundation day event which was to be held at suburban Mumbai later this evening, following incessant rains that have brought the city to a standstill.
"We have decided to cancel our event that was to be held this evening due to the continuous downpour which has brought the city to its knees. The condition in the city is such that water has entered into homes and rail services too have been badly hit," Sena MP Sanjay Raut told PTI.
The party was founded on June 19, 1966 in Mumbai to promote the Marathi cause and regional identity.
"The Sena enters its 50th year today. We can celebrate our joy anytime in the near future, but for now the most important thing for us is to go out on the streets and help stranded Mumbaikars.
"Thus, all the Shiv Sainiks, along with the Yuva Sena led by Aditya Thackeray will be out on the streets to help people in time of need," he said.
Raut said that Shiv Sena Chief Uddhav Thackeray, along with his son Aditya will be visiting the Disaster Management Unit of the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) to gauge the current situation.
Interestingly, the MCGM is struggling to keep the city afloat after the first spell of torrential rains, even as its leaders periodically reviewed the pre-monsoon works done by the civic body.