Mumbai: The Shiv Sena’s invitation to the masses to attend its annual Dussehra rally raked up new controversy late on Friday evening. Hours after a horrific stampede chilled Mumbaikars to the marrow — an incident that the Sena dubbed a “massacre” — the party sent an invitation for the gathering, which is to be held in Shivaji Park on Saturday, and appealed to its supporters to come with a ‘fanfare’. The party was summarily slammed on social media by citizens and politicians alike.
Meanwhile, Congress and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) have demanded Union railway minister Piyush Goyal’s resignation over Friday’s incident. The Shiv Sena workers also held a protest against Mr Goyal. The parties said instead of pursuing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s pet bullet train project; the Centre should focus on improving the safety of passengers and amenities at stations.
The stampede at Elphinstone station has triggered anger over rail infrastructure in the city. The Shiv Sena, an alliance partner of the BJP in Centre and state, protested against the BJP on the streets. Sena workers also agitated against Mr Goyal at KEM Hospital. “Mr Goyal down down, Mr Goyal resign,” were the slogans raised by Sena workers.
