Shiv Sena to bash PM at Dussehra rally

Mumbai: Despite chief minister Devendra Fadnavis’ efforts to woo Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray ahead of the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections, Mr Thackeray will reiterate his decision to go solo in the elections during the Sena’s traditional Dussehra rally at Shivaji Park, Dadar.

Mr Thackeray will also raise the Hindutva agenda and Ram temple issue and slam the Narendra Modi government for delay in the construction of the temple. Mr Thackeray will visit Ayodhya after Diwali, said a senior leader.

Considering the elections next year, the Shiv Sena is preparing a show of strength on Dussehra. A Sena leader said, “Mr Thackeray will declare his stand to go solo in the upcoming elections, as the party doesn’t have trust in the BJP.” A source said the BJP wants an alliance with the Shiv Sena only for the Lok Sabha elections and wants to fight solo in the Assembly elections like it did in 2014. “The Shiv Sena doesn’t want to allow the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to use the party as per its convenience. Even if  the BJP proposes an alliance in both elections, the Shiv Sena still will not trust it, if the polls are to be held separately as per the routine schedule,” the source said.

Mr Thackeray is preparing for the rally with senior leaders and discussing the agenda with them. “As he decided to march for Ayodhya and Varanasi, he will announce the dates of the rallies in the Dussehra rally. He will go there after Diwali after completing the preparations,” said a party leader. Mr Thackeray will be focussing on a Hindutva agenda considering elections next year, he added.

Mr Thackeray is likely to slam Modi government more than the Devendra Fadnavis-led government on account of its “wrong policies and decisions” and the Sena leader will target the BJP more than the Opposition, said sources.