An exhausted and emotional 86-year-old Shiv Sena chief BalThackeray on Wednesday night asked his party workers to support his son Uddhavand grandson Aditya whom, he claimed, he did not thrust his son in his party,as was the case with the members of the Nehru-Gandhi family. He also lashed outat Congress president and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, her son Rahul, daughterPriyanka, son-in-law Robert Vadra and her advisor Ahmed Patel.
Addressing his party’s 46th annual Dussehra rally at thehistoric Shivaji Park here, the Sena chief also lamented the split in the ShivSena (leading to the formation of the Raj Thackeray-led MNS) and indirectly underscored the need for theThackeray cousins –Uddhav and Raj – to come together again to take on theCongress in the state.
“In Dadar area where the Shiv Sena was founded and where theSena Bhavan stands majestically, the Shiv Sena was split vertically into two.Why did it happen? You should give it a thought. The split should not havehappened. The Maharashtrians should cometogether. There is a need for re-unity among them for taking on the Congress,”Thackeray said, as he indirectly asked Thackeray cousins Uddhav and Raj to comeunder one umbrella again in the interest of Marathi-speaking people.
Thackeray, who could not make it to the Shivaji Park owingto ill-health, addressed the rally through an audio-visual recording from hisBandra bungalow “Matoshtri” and repeatedly told the Sainiks that though he wasvery keen to come and address physically, but illness came in the way.
“The Shiv Sena has now completed 45 years of its existence.And I am 86 years’ old. I cannot manage any longer. … You continue to be loyalto the party, as you have been all along... As long as long you are loyal, theSena cannot be touched by anybody,” he said.
“If you ever felt that I have thrust upon Uddhav and Adityaupon you, please just forget it. You have yourself accepted them. Mine is notlike a Sonia Gandhi family. Since I have not thrust the two upon you, I appealto you that you support as much as you have stood by me and supported me overthe years. Be loyal to the party and not us,” Thackeray said in an emotionallychoked voice.
