Uddhav may sound BMC poll bugle at Dussehra rally

Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray may use his party's annual Dussehra rally, to be held at Shivaji Park in Central Mumbai on October 11, to flay ruling partner BJP and to sound bugle for upcoming elections to the saffron-ruled Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation.

According to a senior Sena leader, Uddhav may stress upon the good work done by BMC in view of the crucial polls slated next year.

Meanwhile, Sena leader Anil Parab today confirmed that the rally will be held at conventional location of Shivaji Park in Central Mumbai and that preparations are in full swing.

"Since it has stopped raining, Sena's annual Dussehra rally will be held at Shivaji Park. Currently, water is being removed from ground and it is being readied to accommodate thousands of party workers who are expected to attend the programme and listen to Uddhav ji's plans for party in future," Parab told PTI.
 

Dussehra 'Melava' has been held every year since the formation of Sena by Bal Thackeray on June 19, 1966.

However, since last six years when Shivaji Park was declared as a silent zone, Sena has to rush to Bombay high court every time it wanted to hold the rally.

Late Bal Thackeray always used the 'melava' to galvanise sainiks across Maharashtra by delivering fiery speeches at Shivaji Park. He had last addressed sainiks, through video conferencing, in 2012.

According to a Sena leader Uddhav may use the event to launch campaign for the BMC polls against the backdrop of frosty ties with BJP and uncertainty over continuation of the saffron alliance for the elections.

"The focus of this year's speech will be BMC polls, which are very important for the party. Uddhav ji will try to infuse enthusiasm in the party cadres to give it all they have to win the polls," he said.

"Especially after strained ties with the BJP, we don't know for sure if a pre poll alliance will be done at all. So it will be important for us to be prepared in the likelihood of any eventuality," he added.