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The upcoming Dasara rallies in Maharashtra are set to be a significant event in the state's political landscape, marking the beginning of the election season. The event will see a face-off between the two factions of the Shiv Sena, each vying for the title of the true torchbearer of Hindutva ideology. Uddhav Thackeray, leader of the Shiv Sena (UBT), will hold his annual Dasara rally at Shivaji Park, a venue synonymous with the party's history in Dadar. Meanwhile, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, leading the other Shiv Sena faction, will hold his rally at Azad Maidan in South Mumbai.
The significance of these rallies goes beyond mere political displays. Both leaders are expected to outline their party's stance for the upcoming elections, potentially offering clues about the emerging political alliances in the state. This comes at a time when the Shiv Sena (UBT) has criticized the Congress party's performance in Haryana, and Shinde faces pressure from his alliance partner, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar's party.
The build-up to the rallies has been marked by a fierce battle of promotional campaigns. Days before Shinde's rally, his faction released a promotional video portraying him as the protector of Shiv Sena's Hindutva identity, symbolized by a tiger. The video depicts Shinde rescuing the tiger, bound to the symbol of the Congress party, from the clutches of Uddhav Thackeray's caricature. This narrative attempts to dispel the perception of Shinde as a 'gaddar' or a backstabber, claiming he liberated the 'true' Hindutva Sena from the Congress and MVA alliance.
In response, the Shiv Sena (UBT) has launched its own promotional videos showcasing Uddhav Thackeray and his son, Aaditya Thackeray, as the rightful inheritors of Balasaheb Thackeray's legacy and ideology. The videos warn that a fractured Shiv Sena under Shinde's leadership will face consequences. The Dasara rallies, therefore, become more than just speeches; they serve as platforms to project each faction's narrative and solidify their position in the upcoming elections.
Source: Shivaji Park, Azad Maidan decked up for Sena vs Sena Dasara rallies