Mind your language, Thackeray warns Raj
Debunking rumours that he was ‘unhappy’ with son Uddhav’s leadership of the Shiv Sena, party chief Bal Thackeray instead praised his son’s efforts, saying he was “estatic” with the way things were progressing even as he appealed to his nephew Raj to return to the partyfold.
“Doors of Matoshree will always be open to him,” Thackeray senior said, while addressing a room full of reporters at his residence on Wednesday. Dressed in his customary saffron kurta and spectacles, he added, “Whatever I say becomes controversial, and we all know who has fuelled these controversies.”
Flanked by Uddhav, MP Sanjay Raut and Sena spokesperson Neelam Gorhe, Thackeray senior appeared to be in good spirits and looked every inch a patriarch basking fondly over his cadres. “Everybody considers me as deity, but they do not hesitate to steal coconuts from my temple,” he said, while making an oblique reference to Raj and Revenue Minister Narayan Rane.
Thackeray senior also chided Raj for resorting to making personal remarks while addressing political issues. “What Raj is doing is highly improper,” he said. “He should not taunt Uddhav, who is managing the party well in his own style. If he has a difference of opinion over an issue, he should fight like a political opponent.”
Despite all the ‘bad blood’ between uncle and nephew, Thackeray senior confirmed he continues to maintain cordial family relations with Raj. “We do talk over the phone, and it is not important what we say or how long we speak,” he said. “We talk about family matters, and we should not mix our personal relationships with politics. I have warm relations with Sharad Pawar as well, but I don’t make a big deal about it.”
Thackeray senior also shot down rumours that the Sena was planning to team up with Raj’s party, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), to appoint mayors at Thane, Ulhasnagar and Nashik corporations. “Do I look desperate to you?” he scoffed. “I will never go to Raj for support. Raj has repeatedly said that the Sena is his No 1 enemy.”
Debunking rumours that he was ‘unhappy’ with son Uddhav’s leadership of the Shiv Sena, party chief Bal Thackeray instead praised his son’s efforts, saying he was “estatic” with the way things were progressing even as he appealed to his nephew Raj to return to the partyfold.
“Doors of Matoshree will always be open to him,” Thackeray senior said, while addressing a room full of reporters at his residence on Wednesday. Dressed in his customary saffron kurta and spectacles, he added, “Whatever I say becomes controversial, and we all know who has fuelled these controversies.”
Flanked by Uddhav, MP Sanjay Raut and Sena spokesperson Neelam Gorhe, Thackeray senior appeared to be in good spirits and looked every inch a patriarch basking fondly over his cadres. “Everybody considers me as deity, but they do not hesitate to steal coconuts from my temple,” he said, while making an oblique reference to Raj and Revenue Minister Narayan Rane.
Thackeray senior also chided Raj for resorting to making personal remarks while addressing political issues. “What Raj is doing is highly improper,” he said. “He should not taunt Uddhav, who is managing the party well in his own style. If he has a difference of opinion over an issue, he should fight like a political opponent.”
Despite all the ‘bad blood’ between uncle and nephew, Thackeray senior confirmed he continues to maintain cordial family relations with Raj. “We do talk over the phone, and it is not important what we say or how long we speak,” he said. “We talk about family matters, and we should not mix our personal relationships with politics. I have warm relations with Sharad Pawar as well, but I don’t make a big deal about it.”
Thackeray senior also shot down rumours that the Sena was planning to team up with Raj’s party, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), to appoint mayors at Thane, Ulhasnagar and Nashik corporations. “Do I look desperate to you?” he scoffed. “I will never go to Raj for support. Raj has repeatedly said that the Sena is his No 1 enemy.”