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BSP was the last party to hold a rally there before the polls, as permission granted to other parties has been cancelled till May 2 for Maharashtra Day

Looks like BSP chief Mayawati had the final say, quite literally. She was the last leader to hold a rally at the

BSP ki Maya, baki ka safaya: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati at a rally at Shivaji Park on April 8. PICS/NIMESH DAVE

hallowed Shivaji Park on April 8, following which its gates have been shut for all political parties from April 15 to May 2.

Preparations for Maharashtra Day will start in full swing at the grounds from tomorrow and permission given to all political parties to hold rallies during these 16 days has been cancelled. Those denied permission include the MNS.   

N Pai, the ward officer for G North under whose jurisdiction Shivaji Park falls, said, "I have already been told by Mantralaya officials that they need the ground for practice, levelling and celebration of Maharashtra Day. I have cancelled permissions given to all political parties to hold rallies from April 15 to May 2." 

Even Inspector M Kadam from Shivaji Park police station, responsible for giving out the permission for loudspeakers, confirmed that he has not given a go-ahead to use loudspeakers at Shivaji Park. 

The losers

Obviously, political parties are disappointed. The MNS had earlier sought permission to conduct a rally on April 27. Nitin Sardesai, spokesperson, MNS, confirmed this. "It hardly matters who delivered the last speech at Shivaji Park. Wherever Raj saheb goes he turns the place into the biggest park with a huge voter turnout," he said.

"We would have been happy if we received permission to hold a rally at Shivaji Park, but we aren't disappointed," added Sardesai.        
 
Subhash Desai of the Shiv Sena is glad that they could hold at least one rally at Shivaji Park with the BJP.  "It's unfortunate that political parties aren't getting a chance to hold rallies at Shivaji Park. The state government fears Mayawati and hence she was the given the go-ahead to hold a rally there," he said.  
  
The BSP supporters are in high spirits. "They are happy we could hold the last rally at Shivaji Park. We are a party of commoners and the huge crowds that we drew during our last rally has proved this," said Vilas Garud, state BSP chief.

Crowd puller
40,000: Supporters at the BJP-Sena rally on April 4
1 lakh: Supporters at the BSP rally on April 8
2 lakh: Supporters at the MNS rally on May 3, 2008 (the last MNS rally at Shivaji Park)
* The figures are approximates