Thackeray launches grandson at rally
Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray on Sunday night launched his grand-son Aditya into politics anointing him as the head of its youth wing at a Dussehra rally which also witnessed three generations of Thackerays sharing the podium.
Handing over a sword to Aditya to encourage him in his new endeavour, Yuva Sena, the 83-year-old Mr Thackeray at the same time said he does not believe in “dynasty politics” in the Sena. 20-year-old Aditya, who is making his first major public appearance, is Sena executive president Uddhav Thackeray’s son.
“I never brought Udhhav in Sena. He was made executive president by Krishnakunj person (official residence of his estranged nephew and MNS chief Raj Thackeray). In fact, I opposed it, but all the party functionaries accepted Uddhav’s leadership,” he said at the traditional annual Dusshera rally at central Mumbai’s Shivaji Park ground here.
“The party works on Shivshahi and not poor democracy. You cannot take decisions without asking me. You may call me a dictator or Hitler. But I did not start this dynasty,” he said.
On his grand-son leading the party’s youth wing, Mr Thackeray said: “I will not promote Aditya. If he wants to join Sena he can.” He also appreciated Aditya and his young colleagues for initiating the Yuva Sena.
“Instead of criticising them, one should appreciate Aditya and his friends for doing some constructive work,” he said.
Aditya said Yuva Sena will be an “entry point” for those who want to join the Sena.
Mr Bal Thackeray also took potshots at MNS chief and his estranged nephew Raj saying only copying style is not enough. “Someone has stolen my style. Now people might say that I am copying him. But that is not enough.”
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MNS helped Sena rally?
AGE CORRESPONDENT
mumbai
Oct. 17: Raj Thackeray’s party also made a small contribution in making the Shiv Sena’s Dussehra rally a success. The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena removed an arch put up by party workers at Shivaji Park to allow the Sena to put up its own arch welcoming people for the Dussehra rally.
The MNS had installed an arch (gate) near the Gypsy hotel at Shivaji Park that bore Dussehra greetings messages for people. The party had obtained the BMC permission’s for the arch till Sunday. However, it decided to remove it a day earlier after the Sena’s request.
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