The Hindu : National : I am the decider: Bal Thackeray

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Sep 10, 2004

National

National

I am the decider: Bal Thackeray

By Our Special Correspondent

— Photo: Vivek Bendre

Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray addressing a press conference at his residence in Mumbai on Thursday.

MUMBAI, SEPT. 9. The Shiv Sena supremo, Bal Thackeray, today set at rest the leadership issue in the party by declaring that he would decide on the question of who would be Chief Minister after the Assembly elections.

Talking to the press at his residence, Mr. Thackeray blamed the media for the "rift" between his son, Udhav, and his nephew, Raj, saying: "He [Raj] is a cartoonist, like me, and his desire to be Chief Minister was expressed in a lighter vein."

``What is the harm in Raj saying he wants to become Chief Minister? Even Manohar Joshi has expressed a wish to become one. The elections are not over; we don't know who will win, yet speculation is rife about the chief ministerial candidate," he said.

Two days ago, Mr. Raj Thackeray had told a press conference that he was tempted by the thought of becoming both the chief minister and the "remote control" of the State, setting off speculation about a leadership tussle in the party.

Mr. Udhav Thackeray, Shiv Sena working president, is a contender for the chief ministerial post if the Sena-BJP combine wins the elections, the other being the Leader of the Opposition, Narayan Rane. "If you ask me if I want to be Prime Minister, I will say yes. Does that mean I will be become one," asked Mr. Thackeray.

Mr. Thackeray said that he was keen on the party returning to power in the State. However, he planned to begin campaigning only after the Ganesh festival. "If I campaign now, I will have to pose as Ganpati, as people are in a festive mood," he said. The campaign would be launched in Mumbai but a victory rally was being planned in Vidarbha.

"I don't impose anything on my children. I did not want to contest the elections but that does not mean I will expect my children to follow suit. It is unfair to cross-examine me on this issue," he said. He denied that there was competition in the party on the leadership issue. "I will not decide on this till the elections are over. There is no question of family in this, it is the question of people's choice. Even when Udhav was chosen as working president of the party, I did not even know about it. I realised he was elected by the people later."

Savarkar row

On the controversy over the Union Petroleum Minister, Mani Shankar Aiyar's remarks on Savarkar, he said: "Savarkar would not have been a subject but it is unfortunate that Aiyar raised this issue." The other main issue was the development of the State. The party had plans for the State's "re-development" and the huge debt was not a cause for concern.

Finally, on the question of his beard, he said: "My skin is more delicate than that of a woman. I had three or four abrasions and I have been advised to grow my beard."

He said Uma Bharti's tiranga yatra would make a difference in the State, adding that it was not a crime to hoist the national flag.

"The country was at threat from Islam and there was only one to way counter this, and that was to unite as Hindus. Everything has gone against the Hindus in the past and even now, I am the only one fighting against this," Mr. Thackeray said.

Referring to the new census, he said family planning must be made the law of the land.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

National