The Congress party in Mumbai has filed a plea with the Bombay High Court seeking permission to hold a rally at Shivaji Park on December 28. The petition was filed by the president of Mumbai Regional Congress Committee (MRCC), Ashok alias ‘Bhai’ Jagtap.
The Congress seeks permission for a rally on December 28 – the 137th Foundation Day of the Indian National Congress Party, which is to be held at Shivaji Park, in Mumbai. Rahul Gandhi will be addressing the rally.
The plea filed through advocate Pradeep Thorat states that the Congress party had applied for permission to hold the rally. However, state government has not granted permission for the rally, yet.
The petition prays that a “Writ of Mandamus or any other Writ in the nature of Mandamus directing the respondents to grant necessary permission to the petitioner for use of Shivaji Park Ground from December 22, 2021 till December 28, 2021 for the purpose of holding public meeting and other consequential permissions on the occasion of 137th Foundation Day of the Indian National Congress Party to be held at Shivaji Park, Dadar, Mumbai.”
Shivaji Park is essentially a recreational ground which is used for promoting sporting activities. According to rules, if the ground is to be used for other purposes, then a permission is required. Thus, for holding political rally, a permission is required.
The petition prays that the authorities be “directed to grant necessary permission for erection of temporary stage on a portion of Shivaji Park Ground and for use of portion of Shivaji Park Ground for the Public meeting to be held at Shivaji Park on December 28.”
Since, Congress is a part of the Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance in the state it has come as a surprise that permission was not granted to hold the rally.
The petition will be heard by the division bench of Justices A A Sayed and Abhay Ahuja on Dec 14.
Source: https://www.indiatoday.in/cities/mumbai/story/maharashtra-congress-rally-rahul-gandhi-bombay-hc-indian-national-congress-137th-foundation-day-1887440-2021-12-13
