Sena vs Sena: Party workers from Uddhav Thackeray and Eknath Shinde camp face off amid row over Dussehra rally

Mumbai: As the Shiv Sena remains locked in an internal conflict an upcoming Dussehra rally at Mumbai's Shivaji Park have become the latest flashpoint between the Uddhav Thackeray and Eknath Shinde camps. With both groups having applied for permission to hold the event at the same venue, the factions may now seek legal recourse.

The two Shiv Sena camps are now holding protests against each other in Maharashtra in a bid to hold the Dussehra rally. Beyond the legacy event, the two factions are also locked in a face off for the right to continue Balasaheb Thackeray's legacy and the bow and arrow political symbol of the party.

According to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, applications have been received from both groups for the rally at Shivaji Park. The civic body has asserted that it will "follow court guidelines".

The annual Dussehra rally of the Sena is among the major political events of the state and was at one time known for the fiery speeches of Bal Thackeray. While former CM Uddhav Thackeray has asserted that the rally will be going ahead, his son and former state minister Aditya Thackeray has said that the permission is facing some hurdles.

"They (Thackeray faction) have forsaken the teachings of Balasaheb Thackeray. So what right do they have to hold the Dussehra rally now? It is Chief Minister Eknath Shinde who is taking forwards the Hindutva ideology of Balasaheb Thackeray," Former Thane mayor and a spokesperson for the Eknath Shinde faction of the Shiv Sena Naresh Mhaske had claimed earlier this week.