Thackeray and Shinde to spar over Hindutva, dynasty & governance

The two Dussehra rallies in the city, five kilometres apart, are expected to produce a blistering duel between Shiv Sena party president Uddhav Thackeray and chief minister Eknath Shinde, dwelling on the themes of Hindutva, betrayal, dynastic succession, and governance.

- Chaitanya Marpakwar

While Uddhav is likely to take on Shinde and BJP for its role in bringing down his government, the CM is expected to make a hard pitch for his right to claim Bal Thackeray's legacy and at the same time, remind his audience about key decisions taken by him in the last three months. Both may speak for over an hour each, starting their speeches around 8.45 pm and going on till the close at 10 pm.

By convention, Sena rallies start around 7 pm with other seniors on the dais saying their bit for an hour and half. Around 8.15 pm, the key speakers are expected to arrive. Thackeray and Shinde will be the last to address and will hold forth till 10 pm. There was speculation that Aaditya will also talk at Shivaji Park, but Sena leaders denied such a move.