India

Mumbai: The political scene in Mumbai, in a first, will see two Dussehra Rallies taking place in the financial capital. Party’s rival factions -led by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and his predecessor Uddhav Thackeray – in what is being billed as a show of strength by both camps after a change in government in June. This will first such move since the inception of Shiv Sena 56 years ago. Owing to thes big rallies,Mumbai  Traffic Police has issued advisory stating routes that will closed during the course of event.Also Read - 5 Places In India Where Dussehra Is Celebrated Without RavanWhile the Uddhav Thackeray faction will hold its rally at the historic Shivaji Park in Dadar in central Mumbai, while group led by Shinde has organised their event at the MMRDA ground at the Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) in the suburbs. Also Read - Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav to Virender Sehwag; How Cricketers Wished Fans on Auspicious DayThe following parking arrangements have been made for the vehicles of citizens attending the Dussehra Mela organized on 5th October at MMRDA Ground, BKC, Bandra (E).#MTPUpdates #MumbaiTrafficUpdates pic.twitter.com/H8ioifSneH— Mumbai Traffic Police (@MTPHereToHelp) October 4, 2022 Also Read - Sena vs Sena in Mumbai: 5,000 Buses, Special Trains For Dussehra Rallies at Shivaji Park; Traffic Restrictions Imposed | 10 PointsIn view of Dussehra Mela to be held at Shivaji Park, Dadar on October 5, 2022, to avoid traffic congestion on the nearby roads, following temporary provisions have been made to the traffic management from 9 AM to 12 PM. pic.twitter.com/7g67ICRIIO— Mumbai Traffic Police (@MTPHereToHelp) October 4, 2022The rallies have generated intense interest in political circles and also among common citizens and there will be more than just speeches by the two friends-turns-foes as the rival factions will seek to present themselves as the ‘real’ Shiv Sena and try to claim the legacy of party founder the late Bal Thackeray.

Times of India

PUNE/MUMBAI: A total of 1,800 ST buses from across Maharashtra have been booked for ferrying supporters of Uddhav Thackeray and chief minister Eknath Shinde to Mumbai for the parallel Dussehra rallies to be held on Wednesday. A road transport official said buses were booked by various individuals and paid for in cash. However, the Congress alleged that up to Rs 10 crore has been spent by the CM-led Shiv Sena faction on transport and food expenses for the BKC rally. The party demanded a probe by central agencies into the expenditure. Congress claims Rs 10 crore spent for buses to rally, MSRTC denies centralised paymentMaharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) has diverted buses plying in rural areas, apart from those engaged in school transport services, to carry supporters of the rival Sena factions to their rallies in the city on Wednesday. However, MSRTC general manager (traffic) Shivaji Jagtap denied any impact on regular operations. "Our usual operations have not been affected. In many areas, Navami and Dashmi (Dasara) are collector-declared holidays. We see a 45% dip in passenger traffic on both days each year. Many buses will be used only after their day's schedule is complete," Jagtap told TOI on Tuesday. While 450 ST buses were booked from Aurangabad and Beed districts in Marathwada, another 686 buses were from the north Maharashtra region. At Sillod in Aurangabad, state agriculture minister Abdul Sattar was seen personally monitoring the departure of ST buses decked with the CM's posters. MSRTC's Aurangabad divisional controller Sachin Kshirsagar said, "Buses plying in the rural areas and those engaged in school transportation were mostly diverted for these bookings as they see negligible occupancy on Dussehra day." The Pune and Kolhapur divisions did not report bookings. At Nashik, a MSRTC officer said, "We received bookings of 686 buses from our central office." Some 100 private buses from Nashik have also been booked. A MSRTC official said no favours were done to the Shinde faction. "Buses have been booked in the name of individuals across the state. They were booked on casual contract. As per convention, fare has been collected in cash. It is not that one person has booked 1,600 buses and paid a fare of Rs 10 crore," he said. However, the Congress has demanded a probe by the Enforcement Directorate and income tax department on expenditure incurred by the Shinde faction for the rally at BKC. MPCC spokesperson Atul Londhe said Rs 10 crore has been spent to engage buses. "If Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut can be jailed on charges of laundering Rs 50 lakh, then what about the Rs 10 crore spent by the Shinde faction?" he asked. He said Sena leaders are transporting thousands to BKC. "Central agencies must probe the source of the cash. This amounts to money laundering and offences should be registered under Prevention of Money Laundering Act," Londhe said. "In addition, from the statement of a rebel Shiv Sena leader, two lakh food packets will be given to people attending the rally," he alleged.