Shinde's Sena drops cultural programmes at Dasara rally, to focus on speeches

As Dasara nears, political parties' Dasara rallies draw great interest in Maharashtra. For the Shiv Sena rally in particular, Shiv Sainiks travel to Mumbai from across the state. Both factions of the Shiv Sena appear to have made vigorous preparations for this year's rally as well. A large crowd of Shiv Sainiks is certain to gather in Mumbai, and speeches by the leaders of both factions will be heard.

It is learnt that Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena has made a major change in the organisation of its rally, raising curiosity about how this year's Dasara rally will turn out.

Every year the Shiv Sena makes a large show of political strength at the rally. Since the split in the party, there has been a sort of contest between the Thackeray faction and the Shinde faction over whose rally proves better. Large cultural programmes are also a regular feature.

Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena will hold its Dasara rally at the NESCO Centre in Mumbai. Every year, cultural programmes and performances by celebrities are seen at this rally. This year, however, these programmes are reportedly being dropped.

According to the information, this year's rally will begin directly with speeches. The plan is to wrap up the programme in about two to two-and-a-half hours. That means the emphasis will be on political positions and leaders' speeches rather than entertainment.

Last year, relief was sent for flood victims. This year, Shinde's Shiv Sena is reportedly preparing to provide assistance to people in drought-hit areas. The relief work may therefore be discussed alongside the political speeches at the rally.

Meanwhile, Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena will hold its Dasara rally at Shivaji Park in Dadar, also known as Shivtirth. The party has released a poster for the rally, calling for a clarion call to deal a blow to dictatorship and to keep democracy intact. All eyes are now on whom Uddhav Thackeray will target in his speech and what stand he will take on upcoming political developments.

Besides the Shiv Sena rallies in Mumbai, attention will also be on the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh event in Nagpur, Manoj Jarange Patil's rally at Narayangad and Pankaja Munde's rally at Bhagwangad. The political climate in the state is showing signs of heating up this Dasara. What will matter is which political message each leader's speech delivers and how large a crowd of workers gathers.