Thackeray to keep his date with Dussehra rally
Coming in the wake of recent overtures by former Sainik Chhagan Bhujbal and the subsequent rumblings, Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray’s Dussehra rally promises to heat up the state’s political atmosphere further.
By TNN |
MUMBAI: Coming in the wake of recent overtures by former Sainik Chhagan Bhujbal and the subsequent rumblings, Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray’s Dussehra rally promises to heat up the state’s political atmosphere further.
The event will also mark the Sena’s 41st anniversary. For the past 40 years, the Sena chief has never missed his date with Dussehra at Shivaji Park. It was here Bal Thackeray launched his saffron outfit way back in 1966. Now virtually at political crossroads and age not being on his side, the Sena chief has been reduced to chairman emeritus of his once vibrant outfit.
Health concerns notwithstanding, Thackeray Sr, however, is all geared up to address his Sainiks on Sunday. “This year, it will particularly be interesting since all who deserted him have started recalling their golden days with the Sena,” a party source said. State PWD minister Mr Bhujbal recently suffered a bout of that nostalgia when he became too generous with his praise for Bal Thackeray.
The Sena chief was quick to respond. In his stingy compliment, Mr Thackeray said Mr Bhujbal would have been better off had he stayed on with the Sena. Another of his lieutenant Narayan Rane, too, is seen sulking in the Congress.
The latest defector was once promised the chief ministerial chair, which still remains elusive for him. This is exactly the backdrop against which the Sena’s annual meet is kicking off. “After a prolonged gap, the Sena chief will address the gathering. He will touch on all these issues,” a Sena leader disclosed. That apart, other events hitting the headlines like the recent stand-off between the Sena and the BJP and the subsequent patch-up would figure prominently in his speech.
That’s not all. The Sena would pull out all stops to project the rally as its show of strength. The party has asked its district units to mobilise a sizeable number of Sainiks for the event. Sena workers are expected even from far-away places like Nagpur and Aurangabad, along with those from Nashik and Pune.
Meanwhile, the police have thrown a stiff security blanket around the venue. Everyone, including the Sena leaders, will have to go through a through frisking.
The event will also mark the Sena’s 41st anniversary. For the past 40 years, the Sena chief has never missed his date with Dussehra at Shivaji Park. It was here Bal Thackeray launched his saffron outfit way back in 1966. Now virtually at political crossroads and age not being on his side, the Sena chief has been reduced to chairman emeritus of his once vibrant outfit.
Health concerns notwithstanding, Thackeray Sr, however, is all geared up to address his Sainiks on Sunday. “This year, it will particularly be interesting since all who deserted him have started recalling their golden days with the Sena,” a party source said. State PWD minister Mr Bhujbal recently suffered a bout of that nostalgia when he became too generous with his praise for Bal Thackeray.
The Sena chief was quick to respond. In his stingy compliment, Mr Thackeray said Mr Bhujbal would have been better off had he stayed on with the Sena. Another of his lieutenant Narayan Rane, too, is seen sulking in the Congress.
The latest defector was once promised the chief ministerial chair, which still remains elusive for him. This is exactly the backdrop against which the Sena’s annual meet is kicking off. “After a prolonged gap, the Sena chief will address the gathering. He will touch on all these issues,” a Sena leader disclosed. That apart, other events hitting the headlines like the recent stand-off between the Sena and the BJP and the subsequent patch-up would figure prominently in his speech.
That’s not all. The Sena would pull out all stops to project the rally as its show of strength. The party has asked its district units to mobilise a sizeable number of Sainiks for the event. Sena workers are expected even from far-away places like Nagpur and Aurangabad, along with those from Nashik and Pune.
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Meanwhile, the police have thrown a stiff security blanket around the venue. Everyone, including the Sena leaders, will have to go through a through frisking.
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