On October 5, two rallies, barely 6 km apart from one another, will test the claims of rival Shiv Sena factions that are in a fierce battle for party founder Bal Thackeray’s legacy. If large crowds are an indicator of political legitimacy, the rallies of the rival groups, led by Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, will determine which of them controls the party.
Last month, the Supreme Court let the Election Commission decide which faction is the ‘real’ Shiv Sena and can use the party’s bow and arrow symbol. While the legal battle is not over, party cadre and observers concur that the size of crowds at the Dussehra rallies will settle the issue.
Uddhav Thackeray’s strength has been atrophied by desertions of most of his MLAs (40 of 55 have joined Mr. Shinde) and MPs (12 of 18 have shifted sides). The Sena president’s hold over his cadre, his last pillar, will be determined by the number of Shiv Sainiks who turn up at for his address at the iconic Shivaji Park in Dadar in Mumbai.
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