On Bal Thackeray's 3rd death anniversary, Shiv Sena plans massive show of strength

MUMBAI: The Shiv Sena has planned a show of strength in the city on Tuesday to commemorate Balasaheb Thackeray's third death anniversary.

Matoshree has directed party units in the metropolitan region to ensure a "mammoth" turnout of workers at the makeshift Balasaheb Thackeray memorial in Shivaji Park that is called 'Shakti Sthal' by Shiv Sena members, said a key party functionary on Monday.

The show of strength assumes significance as chief minister Devendra Fadnavis is expected to expand his council of ministers by the end of the month. The Shiv Sena is keen on plum positions and also wants to swap a couple of portfolios with the BJP.

Elaborate preparations were underway at the iconic Shivaji Park on the eve of Balasaheb's death anniversary. Large posters and placards were put up at key traffic intersections. Shivaji Park, from where Balasaheb flagged off the Shiv Sena as a Marathi manoos organi'zation in 1966, was bathed in saffron.

Party president Uddhav Thackeray paid a visit to 'Shakti Sthal' later in the day and reviewed the arrangements.

The Shiv Sena wants the state government to choose a site in central Mumbai for a permanent Balasaheb memorial.

The state government has already cleared the decks for a Babasaheb Ambedkar memorial on the premises of the now-defunct Indu textile mills in Dadar, which was owned by the National Textile Corporation.

A senior Shiv Sena functionary said the party was growing "impatient" on the Thackeray memorial issue.

"The BJP government acted with exceptional alacrity on Dr Ambedkar's memorial," the functionary said. "Ambedkar's London house has been acquired too. We have no objection to this. But, the Maharashtra government should announce a suitable site, possibly in Dadar, for Balasaheb's memorial."

Fadnavis, expected to visit Shakti Sthal on Tuesday, is likely to announce the mayor's official residence nearby as the final site for the Balasaheb memorial, said Shiv Sena sources.