Maharashtra: Shiv Sena Dussehra ‘rally’ likely inside Sion hall

MUMBAI: Shiv Sena will hold its annual Dussehra rally indoors this year. The venue is likely to be Shanmukhananda Hall at Sion with 50% of its capacity.
The party was keen on a physical rally at Shivaji Park, but chief minister Uddhav Thackeray took a call to avoid a mega gathering of Sainiks, keeping in mind Covid-19 protocol.
A senior Sena functionary said that the party will write to the police and other authorities on Monday.“Most likely, the rally will be held at Shanmukhananda Hall with 50% seating capacity. All top leaders will be present and the event will also be streamed live,” said the functionary.
Sena parliamentarian Sanjay Raut had said on Wednesday that the party won’t just have an online event and is likely to hold a rally on Dussehra.
“The Dussehra rally will happen and it will not just be an online event. We feel that the rally should be held properly like it used to be held. Uddhavji also has a similar view...” Raut said.
A senior Sena functionary pointed out that the party has not had any Sena event on a big scale in the last two years. “Before BMC elections, this rally is very important to give directions to Sainiks and charge up the cadre,” the functionary said.