India: Shiv Sena party factions to hold rallies in Mumbai, Maharashtra State, Oct. 12

Shiv Sena party factions will hold rallies in Mumbai, Maharashtra State, the evening of Oct. 12. The faction led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde will gather at the Azad Maidan for the party's annual public address on the Hindu festival of Dussehra. The faction led by former Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray will rally at Dadar's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Park from 17:00. Over 50,000 supporters are likely to reach Azad Maidan, while organizers expect at least 150,000 attendees at Shivaji Park.

Authorities will monitor the gatherings and may try to disperse unruly crowds. Scuffles between participants and police and/or rival faction members are possible. Officials will impose traffic curbs and road closures 09:00-23:59 Oct. 12; affected routes in Dadar include Dadasaheb Rege, Keluskar, Lady Jamshedji, Lt. Dilip Gupte, M.B. Raut, N.C. Kelkar, Pandurang Naik, and S.V.S roads. Localized transport disruptions are likely along other roadways near event venues; rerouting of public buses is possible.